How to present successfully to difficult audiences
March 17, 2026FURTHER EXPERTISE
How to give great feedback to your team members
Expert Opinion from Rich Watts published April 17, 2026
Giving feedback is one of the most important and most misunderstood communication skills in the workplace.
Many managers know feedback matters, but still avoid it, delay it or deliver it in ways that do not land as intended. Giving feedback can feel awkward, time consuming or risky, particularly when the message is challenging. As a result, opportunities for learning, improvement and engagement are often missed.
Done well, feedback strengthens performance, builds trust and supports people to do their best work. This article explores what great feedback looks like, why it matters, and how managers and leaders can give feedback more confidently and effectively.
DEFINING THE GOAL
What is great feedback?
Great feedback is clear, specific and focused on helping someone improve or continue doing something well.
It is not about judgement, criticism or venting frustration (this will only make you feel better, not the person receiving the feedback). Nor is it about sugar coating messages to avoid discomfort. The very best feedback is a constructive conversation that supports learning and growth.
In practical terms, great feedback:
- Focuses on observable behaviour rather than personality
- Is timely and relevant
- Is delivered with respect and care
- Links behaviour to impact
When people understand both what they are doing and the effect it has, they are far more able and motivated to adjust and improve their actions.
The very best feedback is a constructive conversation that supports learning and growth.
Discover more ways to boost your communication skills
VALUE
Why feedback matters in the workplace
Feedback plays a central role in performance, engagement and culture.
When feedback is absent or unclear, people are left guessing. This can lead to frustration, reduced confidence or repeated mistakes. When feedback is delivered well, it creates clarity, motivation and momentum.
Key benefits of being able to give effective feedback include:
- Improved individual and team performance
- Faster learning and development
- Stronger working relationships
- Fewer issues escalating into bigger problems
For HR leaders, building feedback capability across management teams supports consistent performance management and healthier communication cultures. It also saves huge amounts of time and cost resolving the issues that arise from poor and unclear feedback.
EFFECTIVENESS
When feedback is most effective
Timing matters. Feedback is generally most effective when it is:
- Given close to the behaviour or event
- Part of an ongoing dialogue rather than a one off event
- Proportionate to the issue
Difficult feedback does not always need a formal meeting. A quick, quiet word in the moment can often be more effective than a delayed conversation that feels heavier than necessary.
HOW TO DO IT
How to give great feedback in practice
Below are practical techniques managers and leaders can use to improve the quality and impact of their feedback conversations.
1. Focus on behaviour, not the person
Describe what you observed rather than making assumptions about intent or attitude.
For example:
“During the meeting, you interrupted several colleagues before they had finished speaking.”
is more effective than:
“You were rude in the meeting.”
This keeps the conversation objective and easier to engage with.
2. Explain the impact
Help the person understand why the behaviour matters.
For example:
“When people are interrupted, it can discourage them from sharing ideas and slows decision making.”
Linking behaviour to impact makes feedback more meaningful and less personal.
3. Be specific and focused
Vague feedback is hard to act on. Focus on one or two key points rather than everything at once.
Clear, focused feedback feels more manageable and is more likely to lead to change.
4. Balance challenge with care
Effective feedback balances honesty with empathy. This is not about softening the message, but about showing that you care about the person as well as the outcome.
Simple phrases such as:
“I want to share this because I want you to succeed.”
can significantly change how feedback is received.
5. Invite dialogue, not defence
Feedback works best as a conversation, not a monologue.
Ask questions such as:
- “How does that land with you?”
- “What is your perspective?”
- “What support would be helpful going forward?”
This encourages ownership and reduces defensiveness.
FLIP IT
Positive feedback matters too
Feedback is not only about addressing problems. Positive feedback is equally important and often underused. We all love praise!
Specific positive feedback reinforces effective behaviours and builds confidence. It also makes it easier to deliver challenging feedback later, as people trust your intent.
Rather than general praise, focus on what worked well and why.
Common challenges with feedback
Many managers struggle with feedback because they worry about damaging relationships or provoking strong reactions.
In practice, relationships are more likely to suffer when feedback is avoided altogether. Most people appreciate clarity when it is delivered respectfully and with good intent.
Being human, honest and consistent is far more effective than waiting for the perfect words.
Building feedback capability across your organisation
Giving great feedback is a skill that can be developed with the right support and practice.
At Further, we help managers and leaders to build the confidence and communication skills needed to give feedback that leads to real improvement. Our training focuses on realistic workplace scenarios and practical tools that participants can use immediately.
If you would like to explore how feedback skills training could support your managers and teams, we would be very happy to talk.
Get in touch to find out more about our feedback and communication skills training programmes and how we help organisations communicate successfully.
