Communication
SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) Feedback Construction Template
Structures feedback to be specific and non-accusatory by focusing on observable events.
A client is stuck in a conflict loop with a colleague or partner. They want to express how another person’s actions affect them, but their attempts often come out as accusations or broad character judgments. The resulting conversations are unproductive, focused on defense and counter-accusation rather than the specific behavior. The core message gets lost in the emotional reaction.
This directive guides the client in constructing their feedback to be objective and specific. It isolates the concrete, observable behavior from the emotional interpretation, helping them prepare for a difficult conversation with clarity. The client leaves with a well-structured statement that is less likely to provoke a defensive reaction and more likely to start a productive dialogue.
SBI (Situation-Behavior-Impact) Feedback Construction Template
Use the following model to construct feedback. First, define the three components for yourself.
Situation: A specific time and place. Behavior: An observable action or statement. Impact: The direct result of the behavior.
Combine these components into a single statement to deliver the feedback. Use this template:
“I want to talk about [Situation]. When you [Behavior], the impact was [Impact].”
Example: “I want to talk about the project meeting yesterday. When you presented last quarter’s data as final, the impact was that the client made a decision based on incomplete information.”
Example: “I want to talk about the email you sent this morning. When you copied my manager on your initial request, the impact was that it escalated a simple question unnecessarily.”
Generated with Rapport7 — rapport7.com