2019
Working Paper
HBS Working Paper Series

Framing Feedback Giving as Advice Giving Yields More Critical and Actionable Input

By: Jaewon Yoon, Hayley Blunden, Ariella Kristal and A.V. Whillans

Format:Print
| Language:English
| Pages:23

Abstract

When looking to improve workplace performance, people often seek third-party input by asking for feedback. However, we propose that asking for feedback might not be the most effective way of soliciting critical and actionable input. We offer a simple yet powerful alternative: ask for advice instead. Across four experiments (N=1,438), including a field experiment, we show that people offer more critical and actionable input when they are asked to provide advice (versus feedback)—even when they are asked to provide comments on identical output. When asked to provide feedback (versus advice), givers focus too much on evaluating the recipient, which undermines their ability to generate constructive (i.e. critical and actionable) input. Our findings suggest that framing feedback provision as advice provision may be a promising way of soliciting constructive third-party input.

Keywords

Feedback; Advice; Personal Development; Evaluative Mindset; Performance Improvement; Personal Development And Career

Citation

Yoon, Jaewon, Hayley Blunden, Ariella Kristal, and A.V. Whillans. "Framing Feedback Giving as Advice Giving Yields More Critical and Actionable Input." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 20-021, August 2019.