How to Give Feedback That Actually Helps

The way we phrase our feedback to others matters.

Research cited by HBR shows that giving feedback based on our judgements of how others should perform is not effective. 

 “Telling people what we think of their performance doesn’t help them thrive and excel, and telling people how we think they should improve actually hinders learning.”

We need to approach feedback with a different lens. Instead of taking a microscope to examine the other person and tell them what to do or how to change, simply offer your observations of what they did and how it made you feel. 

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Source: hbr.org

Try rephrasing your feedback in the way shown above. Acknowledge that the feedback is from your point of view and experience.

This takes away the implied negativity of judging or rating someone else’s performance, and alternatively, allows them to reflect on what they did and what was good or bad about it.

Think of how your insight can help the other person help themselves and you will be much more likely to see positive results.

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