Telling people things they may not want to hear.
WHEN TO GIVE IT
Promptly, and privately.
WHY PROMPTLY
Feedback about something weeks old is difficult to act on and feels stored up.
WHAT TO ADDRESS
Specific behaviour and its effect.
Not character.
WHAT THAT SOUNDS LIKE
What happened, what the consequence was, and what should happen instead.
WHAT TO AVOID
Generalisations: always, never
Comparisons with others Softening so much the point is lost
THAT LAST ONE
Common, and it means the person leaves unaware anything was wrong.
WHAT TO DO
Be clear, and be kind. Those are compatible.
WHAT TO ASK
For their view, before concluding.
WHY
There may be context you lack.
WHAT TO AGREE
What changes, and how it will be reviewed.
WHAT TO DO AFTERWARDS
Follow up, and acknowledge improvement.
WHY
Feedback with no follow-up suggests it did not matter.
WHAT TO NEVER DO
Give it publicly Give it while angry Give it through someone else
