The BEST Way to Give Feedback to Someone
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Summary
- When asking for feedback, be specific. General questions won't help you improve.
- Instead of asking if you did a good job, ask for specific actions you could take next time.
- I like to ask what one thing I could do to make the next meeting a 10 out of 10.
- Feedback should aim to change behavior, not just to make you feel good or bad.
- Focus your questions on how to get better in the future and be precise about what you are seeking advice on.
Video
How To Take Action
I would suggest implementing specific strategies to get better feedback and grow both personally and professionally. Here are some actionable steps you can take right away:
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Ask Specific Questions: Instead of asking, "Did I do a good job?" you should ask, "What is one thing I could have done differently to make the presentation better?" This makes feedback actionable and focused.
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Focus on Future Improvements: After any project or task, ask, "What one thing can I do next time to improve?" This directs the feedback towards your growth and helps you understand exactly what you can do better.
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Be Precise in Your Queries: If you had a meeting, ask something like, "What is one specific action I could take to make our next meeting a 10 out of 10?" This makes it easier for the person giving feedback to provide useful and detailed advice.
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Track and Implement Feedback: Write down the feedback you receive and make a plan to implement it. This could be as simple as a checklist of actionable items you can integrate into your next task or meeting.
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Encourage a Culture of Specific Feedback: If you're a leader, encourage your team to ask for and give specific feedback. This creates a culture where everyone is focused on actionable improvements.
These strategies are low-cost and high-value, requiring minimal time and no financial investment. They help you focus on precise actions that lead to real improvements, aligning feedback with your goals for continuous growth.
