How should I give feedback?

Keep these tips in mind if you have feedback for others:

  • Use descriptive communication to share your thoughts
  • Give feedback in a private setting
  • Share feedback often instead of saving a list of things
  • Make sure your body language matches your message
Guy with package

You can follow this pattern of sharing feedback

1. Ask before sharing

  • Make sure it’s OK to share your thoughts
  • Get the support of the other person
  • Give them control of the situation

2. Share a specific message

  • Focus on facts and observations
  • Describe but do not evaluate
  • Share examples if possible

3. Describe the impact on you

  • Explain why it matters to you
  • Describe how the situation could improve

4. Wrap-up with a discussion

  • Discuss possible solutions
  • Agree on the next steps

Example 1

Do you have 5 minutes? I'd like to talk about how we work together.

OK, sure

I noticed you were late for our last 3 meetings and you didn’t let me know.

I’m just mentioning it because I don’t like waiting and the delay makes me late for other meetings.

What do you say? Could you please let me know if you’re running late in the future?

Example 2

Hey, do you have a moment? I made a few notes on your presentation. Would you like to hear?

Cool, yeah

I noticed that you didn’t include any examples of real experiences.

I think some examples would help me understand what you’re talking about better.

What do you think?

You made it! Thanks for reading.

Now it’s your turn. Practice what you learned by sharing some feedback.
Joe would love to hear what you think!

1 Learning about
feedback
2 Descriptive
communication
3 Accepting
feedback
4 Giving
feedback

Created by Josef Vondrak and Rebecca Vaughan