Summary: Useful feedback helps someone understand what worked, why it mattered, and what to do next. Use these examples and prompts to make feedback clearer and easier to apply in everyday work.
You’ve probably been asked to “be more proactive” or told that something “needs more detail,” then wondered what that would actually look like.
Even “great job” can leave you unsure which part worked well.
When it’s your turn to give feedback, help the other person understand what worked well, what to keep doing, or what to try differently next time.
Give them something to go on
Being specific makes your feedback easier to use. You can keep it brief:
| Instead of | Try |
|---|---|
| “Great presentation.” | “Putting the recommendation first made your presentation easy to follow. Keep that approach.” |
| “This needs more detail.” | “Could you add a cost comparison? That will help us choose between the two options.” |
| “Be more proactive.” | “When a deadline looks uncertain, please flag it early so we have time to adjust.” |
When you’re deciding what to say, consider:
- What did you notice?
- Why does it matter?
- What would you like them to keep doing, change, or try next?
You can often cover this in a sentence or two.
Leave room for their perspective
When you’re asking for a change, a simple “What do you think?” or “What would help?” gives the other person a chance to respond.
You might learn something that changes your view or makes the next step easier.
Use it in everyday work
Whether you’re helping an employee develop or sharing observations with a colleague, you don’t have to save feedback for a formal review. Give it while the work is still fresh and there’s an opportunity to use it.
Keep a few examples handy
Download the quick reference for everyday examples and sentence starters you can use when giving feedback.
