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Leading
6 min read
Giving feedback your team can actually hear
Clear feedback isn't harsh and kind feedback isn't vague. A simple way to say the hard thing so it lands, and so the relationship gets stronger.
Start with what you saw
Describe one moment, as plainly as a camera would. Not “you’re always late with updates” but “the launch notes arrived after the client call on Tuesday.” A specific moment invites a conversation; a label invites a defence.
Say why it matters to you
Then share the effect, in your own words. People can argue with your judgement, but they rarely argue with how something landed for you. It keeps the talk about the work, not about who is right.
Finish with a question, not a verdict. Ask what got in the way, and listen for longer than feels comfortable. Most of the answer is usually in what comes after the first pause.