Give Feedback People Can Use
“Good job” feels pleasant and “that needs work” feels uncomfortable, yet neither tells a person what to repeat or what to change. Useful feedback is specific enough to act on.
Start with what you observed. Describe the action and the setting without guessing at motives: “In yesterday’s client call, you answered the pricing question before they finished asking it.”
Explain the effect. “They stopped sharing their concerns after that.” Then ask for the other person’s view. There may be context you missed, and the conversation works better when both people are thinking.
Agree on one next step and a time to revisit it. Give positive feedback with the same care. When you name exactly what worked, people know what to keep doing. Offer feedback close to the event and in a setting that respects the person.
Try this week
Choose one person who did something well this week. Tell them what you saw, the difference it made, and why you hope they continue.
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