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What do I mean by this?
Feedback should be given to help the other improve or to improve a system at work in a place and not to damage or hurt someone. One of the evidence that shows that a company has a positive work culture is that everyone within the organisation feels safe to give feedback when necessary, irrespective of who the feedback is directed at. Everyone must learn how to give feedback effectively. When done right, feedback helps improve performance, foster better communication, and build trust in the workplace. This post will provide simple and practical tips to help you give feedback that drives positive results without causing tension.1. Timing is Key
One of the most important factors to note when giving feedback is timing. Imagine you just completed a task, and your boss brings up something you did wrong two months ago. It wouldn’t feel cool, right? The same thing happens when you delay giving feedback to others. If you have something constructive to share, do it sooner rather than later. Immediate feedback is more relevant and easier for the recipient to understand. Waiting too long can make the issue feel outdated and lead to unnecessary misunderstandings. For example, if a colleague missed a deadline, bringing it up quickly and explaining why it affected the team is more helpful than mentioning it weeks later when the details aren’t fresh anymore.2. Be Specific, Not Vague
If there’s one thing to avoid when giving feedback, it’s being vague. Saying, “You need to improve your work” or “This isn’t good enough” doesn’t help the other person know what exactly went wrong or what to improve on. It’s much better to be clear and specific. For instance, instead of saying, “Your report wasn’t great,” you could say, “The data in your report was good, but it would be better if you included more visuals to explain your points clearly.” This way, you’re giving them something concrete to work on and improve.3. Balance the Negative Feedback with Positive
Nobody likes to hear only negative feedback and people respond better when they feel appreciated first. A great way to give feedback is to balance the positive with the constructive.Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Start by pointing out what the person did well, then move on to areas they can improve on. For example, you could say, “You did a great job leading the last meeting, but it would be even better if we could stick to the agenda next time so we don’t go over time.” By starting with praise and following up with a constructive suggestion, you’re making the feedback easier to accept.
4. Focus on the Behaviour or Action Not the Person
Effective feedback should always focus on behaviour or actions, not the person’s character. Saying something like, “You’re always careless with your work” is not only harsh but also unhelpful. The person is more likely to feel attacked and become defensive. Instead, focus on the specific behaviour you’d like to see change. A better approach would be to say, “There were some errors in the report, which made it hard to understand. Let’s go over it together so we can avoid that next time.” This keeps the conversation productive and avoids making the other person feel personally criticized.5. Encourage Dialogue
Feedback should be a two-way street. It’s not just about you talking and the other person listening, even if you’re the Boss. The recipient should have a chance to respond too. Encourage open communication by asking questions like, “What do you think?” or “Do you agree with my observations?” When people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, feedback becomes a tool for collaboration rather than a one-sided conversation.6. Offer Solutions, Not Just Criticism
No feedback is complete without offering solutions. Pointing out a problem without suggesting how to fix it can leave the other person feeling stuck. If you notice an area where someone can improve, try to provide ideas or strategies that can help them do better.Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
For example, if a team member struggles with time management, instead of just saying, “You’re always late on deadlines,” you could suggest, “Maybe using a project management tool to keep track of your work could help you organize tasks better and stay on track.”
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