How to Give Employee Feedback That Actually Works

Forget everything you learned in those corporate training sessions. Here's how to give feedback that your team will actually appreciate and act on.

The Golden Rules of Feedback

1. Make It Specific

❌ "Your work needs improvement" ✅ "The last three customer reports were submitted after the deadline"

2. Focus on Actions, Not Personality

❌ "You're disorganised" ✅ "I noticed you're juggling multiple projects at once. Let's look at ways to prioritise"

3. Keep It Real-Time

❌ Saving it all for the annual review ✅ Quick chats when things are fresh

Positive Feedback Phrases That Don't Sound Fake

For Quality Work

• "I can always count on you to [specific thing they do well]"
• "The way you handled [specific situation] showed real initiative"
• "Your approach to [task] has really improved our [specific outcome]"

For Team Contributions

• "The team's energy is different when you're involved, especially when [example]"
• "You've got a knack for [specific skill] - I noticed it during [situation]"
• "Your idea to [specific suggestion] has made a real difference to [outcome]"

For Growth

• "I've noticed you've really grown in [specific area] since [timeframe]"
• "The way you tackled [challenge] shows how much you've developed"
• "You've mastered [skill] so well that others are starting to come to you for advice"

Constructive Feedback That Doesn't Crush Spirits

The Framework That Works

1. Observation: "I noticed..."
2. Impact: "This means..."
3. Question: "What do you think?"
4. Solution: "Let's figure out..."

Real Examples

Scenario 1: Missed Deadlines

❌ "You're always late with everything" ✅ "I noticed the last two project updates were delayed. This means other team members have to rush their parts. What's getting in the way of meeting these deadlines?"

Scenario 2: Communication Issues

❌ "You need to communicate better" ✅ "When messages go unanswered for more than a day, it slows down our workflow. What system would help you stay on top of communications?"

Scenario 3: Quality Concerns

❌ "This work isn't good enough" ✅ "I see some inconsistencies in these reports. Walking through them together would help me understand your process. When would be a good time?"

Feedback for Specific Situations

After Probation Period

• "You've shown real strength in [specific areas]"
• "These are the areas I'd love to see you develop next..."
• "Here's what success looks like in the next 6 months..."

To Managers

• "When you [specific action], it helps the team by..."
• "Have you considered trying [suggestion] to address [situation]?"
• "The team really responds well when you [positive behaviour]"

During Performance Reviews

• "Let's look at what you've achieved since [last review]..."
• "I've noticed particular growth in..."
• "Here's where I see opportunities for development..."

Making Feedback a Two-Way Street

Ask These Questions

• "What could I do differently to support you better?"
• "How do you prefer to receive feedback?"
• "What's one thing we could change to make your job easier?"

Then Actually Listen

• Take notes
• Ask follow-up questions
• Confirm understanding
• Make actionable plans

Tools to Make Feedback Easier

1. Regular Check-ins

• Weekly quick chats
• Monthly deeper dives
• Quarterly reviews

2. Feedback Templates

• Situation
• Behaviour
• Impact
• Next steps

3. Digital Tools (Like Cuura)

• Quick pulse checks
• Anonymous options
• Trend tracking
• Action planning

Common Feedback Mistakes to Avoid

1. The Feedback Sandwich

❌ Hiding criticism between compliments ✅ Be direct but kind

2. The Vague Praise

❌ "Good job!" ✅ "Your presentation on [topic] really helped us win that client"

3. The Public Criticism

❌ Calling out issues in team meetings ✅ Private conversations for improvement areas

Getting Started with Better Feedback

1. Pick one team member
2. Notice one specific thing they do well
3. Tell them about it (be specific!)
4. Use Cuura to make it a habit

Remember: The best feedback is regular, specific, and actionable. Start small, be consistent, and watch your team grow.

Need help setting up a feedback system that works? We're here to help - no corporate buzzwords required.