Editorial
Feedback is a powerful tool for growth, whether at work or in our personal lives. It helps uncover blind spots and offers opportunities to change behavior or improve performance.
Before diving into how to give effective feedback, it's important to distinguish feedback from performance evaluation.
- A performance evaluation is a formal process that informs decisions about pay, promotions, and career development, (e.g. annual reviews)
- Feedback, on the other hand, is ongoing, developmental, and focused on day-to-day improvement. (e.g. in the moment coaching)
Feedback works best when it’s a part of a regular rhythm of working relationships, not a once-a-year event. You don't want the end-of-year review to be the first time someone hears about a behavior that’s been affecting their performance for months.
The Value of Feedback
Feedback at work shapes culture, drives performance and can influence an organization’s success. It reinforces what's working and helps correct course where it's not. In my coaching practice, I’ve seen many leaders who are comfortable giving positive feedback, but hesitate when it comes to delivering constructive feedback.
Why Giving Constructive Feedback Can Feel Challenging
Giving constructive feedback can feel difficult for many reasons. Here are some of the most common concerns I hear from leaders of people and teams:
- “I don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings.”
- “I want to avoid conflict.”
- “I’m not sure how to say it.”
- “Our culture isn’t very direct.”
That last one comes up often, especially in organizations that prioritize harmony or operate across different cultural contexts. Being aware of these differences can help you adjust how you approach the conversation, making it feel more respectful and constructive.
While these concerns are understandable, avoiding feedback often leads to missed growth opportunities and frustration on both sides.
The good news? You don’t have to avoid it. With a few mindset shifts and practical tools, giving feedback can become more natural, honest, and effective and also one of your most powerful leadership tools.
How to Make Giving Feedback Feel Easier
Here are practical strategies to help you feel more confident and comfortable, whether you’re leading a team or collaborating with peers:
1. Reframe the Intent
When we approach feedback, it’s useful to frame it as an investment in someone’s growth, rather than a time to point out what’s wrong. When feedback is rooted in care and a genuine desire to help, it changes the energy of the conversation. It becomes less about critique and more about support. When approached with that mindset, feedback is more likely to be received openly and constructively.
2. Clear Your Internal Space First
Before giving constructive feedback, take a moment to check in with yourself. Are you feeling frustrated, disappointed or annoyed? If so, take time to process those emotions. Feedback is most effective when it comes from a grounded place – calm, honest and respectful — not from emotional reactivity.
3. Show Up with Empathy, Curiosity and Clarity
While you can’t control how someone will receive your feedback, you can control how you deliver it. Your tone and body language matter. Try to be:
- Clear — Be specific and direct, not vague.
- Empathetic — Think about how it might feel to hear what you're about to say.
- Curious — Ask questions instead of jumping to conclusions.
Approaching feedback this way helps create a safe, open space for real conversation, rather than triggering defensiveness.
4. Be Specific, Explain the Impact and Invite Dialogue
Focus on what actually happened, not on labeling the person. Share the context, describe the behavior, explain its impact, offer a way forward and invite a two-way conversation.
For example, instead of saying, “You’re careless” or “You’re disorganized,” you might say: "In last week’s client report, I noticed a few key data points were missing, and the formatting was inconsistent. That caused concern for the client and meant the team had to spend extra time revising it. Going forward, a final review or checklist might help catch those issues early. What do you think?"
This kind of feedback:
- Focuses on behavior, not character.
- Clearly communicates the impact.
- Offers forward-looking guidance without being prescriptive.
- Invites dialogue rather than closing it down.
5. Build the Feedback Habit
Let feedback become something you offer regularly, not just when something goes wrong.
A good rule of thumb comes from John Gottman’s research on building strong relationships. The '5:1 Gottman ratio' suggests five positive interactions for every one negative. Though originally developed for marital dynamics, this principle translates well to the workplace.
By consistently offering acknowledgment, recognition and support alongside constructive input, leaders can foster a more trusting and resilient environment. And over time, this balanced approach helps team members feel valued and motivated, turning feedback into a meaningful tool for growth and connection.
6. Follow Up and Reinforce Positive Behavior
Feedback isn’t a one-time event — it’s part of an ongoing conversation. Take time to check in over the weeks that follow and let the person know you see their effort and progress. This kind of reinforcement builds trust and encourages continued growth. Even small acknowledgments can make a big difference. It’s worth noting that recognizing when someone acts on feedback is just as important as giving it; recognition reinforces progress more effectively than silence.
Final Thoughts
Effective feedback has the power to transform teams, but it takes more than good intentions. It requires consistency, courage and care. Here’s a simple starting point: offer one piece of specific, positive feedback to a colleague or team member, something they did well that had a clear impact. Notice how it feels to give, and how they respond. Even small moments of recognition build trust and open the door to deeper conversations.
Like any leadership skill, feedback gets easier with practice. The more intentional and thoughtful you are, the more natural it becomes.
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In my coaching work, I’ve seen how small, consistent shifts in how leaders give feedback create a ripple effect across teams and culture. These principles lay the foundation, but real change happens when feedback becomes a regular part of the daily rhythm of how people work together, openly, honestly, and with respect.
So, what’s one piece of feedback you can offer today that might open the door to growth?
Editor's Note: For more advice on delivering feedback, read:
- Delivering Feedback in Today's Hybrid Workplace — With dispersed employees, it can be challenging for leaders to provide regular feedback. Here’s how to navigate this space effectively in a remote workplace.
- How to Develop a Feedback System That Actually Helps Your Team — For any healthy team, building an ongoing habit of feedback helps create a growth mindset and allow you to achieve more together over time.
- How to Create a 360-Degree Feedback Process That Helps — When done well, 360-degree feedback surfaces otherwise hidden insights and can support learning and development efforts.
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