Imagine feeling like no matter how hard you work, how much you contribute, you just can't seem to get the recognition or advancement or even feedback you deserve. It's frustrating. Especially that last part.

Can you remember a time when a vague performance review left you unsure what to actually change? Or when subtle biases infected feedback, limiting your growth? I’m sure a lot of us can. So how can we craft a more growth-oriented, collaborative feedback process?

Together we question, what are the common pitfalls that undermine performance reviews and inhibit collaborative communication? 

And, how can we reframe performance management as a partnership, not an adversarial process? Deborah reveals research showing marginalized groups often receive far less actionable feedback, impeding their advancement. 

In today’s episode we’re digging into:

• What constitutes vague, non-actionable feedback versus concrete, constructive feedback?


• How can unconscious biases negatively impact performance reviews, especially for marginalized groups? 


• Why do managers sometimes fail to give direct feedback due to "protective hesitation"?


• What strategies can employees use to obtain clear, helpful feedback for growth?


• How can both managers and employees reframe performance conversations as collaborative rather than adversarial?

And we’re in conversation with:

SPARKED HOT TAKE WITH: Deborah Owens | Website

After a long career in leadership in some of the biggest companies in the world, Deborah founded her own consulting firm, Corporate Alley Cat, where she advises and coaches People of Color in all aspects of career visioning and development. She has this incredible ability to see what’s happening under the surface in any given situation, and ask questions that get to the heart of the matter and reveal possibilities that feel both empowering and expansive.

YOUR HOST: Jonathan Fields

Jonathan is a dad, husband, award-winning author, multi-time founder, executive producer and host of the Good Life Project podcast, and co-host of SPARKED, too! He’s also the creator of an unusual tool that’s helped more than 650,000 people discover what kind of work makes them come alive - the Sparketype® Assessment, and author of the bestselling book, SPARKED.

How to submit your question for the SPARKED Braintrust: Wisdom-seeker submissions

More on Sparketypes at: Discover You Sparketype | The Book | The Website

Find a Certified Sparketype Advisor: CSA Directory

Coaches & Leaders: Tap a Game-Changing Credential - The Certified Sparketype® Advisor Training. This powerful training and certification is designed to help you:⁣

• Deliver more outstanding service while helping your clients and/or team members live a more-fulfilling life, and craft a more purpose-led, meaningful, and alive career path. ⁣


• Better understand how to powerfully motivate and inspire employees or teams to perform at the highest levels, so that they generate exceptional results and do more of what makes them come alive.⁣


• AND… get there much faster with next-gen tools that do what no others can⁣. 

Learn more HERE. Next Training starts March 2024

Presented by LinkedIn.