Feedback can build careers or hold them back. When it’s vague, biased, or filled with adjectives instead of actions, it does more harm than good, especially for women.
Zovig Garboushian sits down with Dora Mołodyńska-Küntzel, a DEI trainer and consultant from Punt Kick, to talk about the hidden bias in giving feedback. Why do women get more personality-driven critiques while men receive clear, actionable advice? How does that impact performance, confidence, and career growth? Research shows a clear pattern, and the consequences reach far beyond individual employees.
Dora shares practical ways for leaders to check their own bias, shift from vague observations to behavior-based feedback, and create a culture where everyone gets the guidance they need to succeed. She challenges the idea that feedback bias is only a DEI issue—when employees don’t receive clear direction, businesses suffer too.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction
02:53 Importance of Addressing Feedback Bias
05:57 Impact of Vague Feedback on Women
08:17 Role of Confidence in Feedback
10:02 Confusion Created by Contradictory Feedback
12:09 Organizational Impact of Biased Feedback
14:07 Recognizing and Addressing Personal Bias
17:02 Importance of Self-Reflection and Humility
20:20 Strategies for Receiving Better Feedback
24:20 Pushing Back on Vague Feedback
27:04 Organizational Strategies for Fair Feedback
31:10 Role of Psychological Safety in Feedback
32:08 Business Impact of Quality Feedback
Links
Connect with Dora Mołodyńska-Küntzel :
Website: www.puntkick.pl
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dorakuntzel/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/puntkick.pl
Links to studies mentioned:
https://explore.textio.com/feedback-bias-2024/language-bias-in-performance-feedback-2024
https://explore.textio.com/feedback-bias
https://www.bain.com/insights/crisis-of-confidence-women-lose-faith-careers-infographic/
Bias Reduction Checklist https://www.puntkick.pl/bias-reduction-checklist
Free Ebook on Inclusive Leadership: https://www.puntkick.pl/ebook
Link to the LinkedIn Post we mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dorakuntzel_gender-bias-in-feedback-activity-7274326972325916673-Z2YW?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAEqDREBjiJ_stnF64FelYqG1b8lxUtHtHc
Connect with Zovig Garboushian:
Website: www.boldnessablazecoaching.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoviggarboushian/
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