17 May 2025 2 min read framework

The SPACE Framework

What to Do When Feedback Doesn’t Land

Even when you give feedback calmly, respectfully, and using every best-practice model like SBI, sometimes it still triggers resistance.
You get defensiveness. Shutdown. Denial.
Not because you did it wrong, but because the other person wasn’t ready to hear it.

That’s why emotional intelligence isn’t just about how you deliver feedback – it’s about how you respond when it’s not received well.

The SPACE Framework helps you lead with empathy, patience, and long-term trust when your feedback hits a wall.

🌱 S – Stop Pushing

You’ve said what needed to be said.
Now pause. Don’t keep clarifying or convincing.
When people feel cornered, psychological safety disappears.
Let the insight breathe.

🧘 P – Practice Emotional Regulation

Their defensiveness might trigger yours.
Notice the urge to defend your intent – then let it pass.
Your grounded presence matters more than proving a point.

🤝 A – Affirm Without Retreating

You don’t have to take your feedback back. But you can affirm their experience.
Try:

“Thanks for sharing how that landed.”
“I hear you.”
“It’s okay to see it differently.”

This protects the relationship.

🔁 C – Circle Back Later

Not everything lands in real-time. Give them space.
Revisit later with curiosity:

“Have you thought more about our conversation?”
“Anything you’d like to unpack together?”

This shows trust, not pressure.

🔭 E – Evaluate the Bigger Picture

Ask yourself:

Is this a one-time reaction or a pattern?
Is something else affecting their behavior or stress levels?
Do they need more support to grow?

Zoom out and lead from the system level.

🧠 Why It Works

This framework protects psychological safety and preserves relationships, while still standing by your leadership responsibilities.
People rarely change when they feel cornered. They grow when they feel seen, supported, and given room to reflect.