How to Coach an Employee Who Resists Feedback

Episode 57 of Manager Mondays tackles one of the toughest challenges for any leader: coaching an employee who visibly bristles, deflects, or shuts down when receiving feedback. Lucas and Luna break down the psychology behind defensive responses, drawing on a 2023 study from the Journal of Applied Psychology that found 38% of employees react defensively to even constructive criticism. They offer a practical three-step framework called 'the pause, the pivot, and the proof,' using a real case of a senior analyst at a mid-size tech firm who consistently pushed back on quarterly review comments. The episode covers how to separate the emotional reaction from the content, when to postpone a conversation for better timing, and how to ask questions that turn resistance into reflection. Listeners will walk away with concrete language to use in their next one-on-one, plus a strategy to reduce defensiveness over time without damaging the relationship. #Management #Careers #Feedback #Coaching #Leadership #EmployeeDevelopment #DifficultConversations #PsychologyAtWork #Defensiveness #ConstructiveCriticism #OneOnOne #PeopleManagement #TeamLeadership #FirstTimeManager #ManagerMondays #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast #CareersPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo