We can dread giving feedback when we think of it as a statement we must deliver. Another approach is to ask questions and see the exchange as an opportunity to learn.
You could start with:
- What’s your assessment of how ____ turned out?
- If you were to do this project again, what would you do differently?
- What did you learn from this process?
- It would have been better if only….
- Have you thought about….?
- Did this outcome meet your expectations?
By asking questions, you turn one-way communication into a conversation where you not only address the product, but also help the other person take ownership of the process and build analytical skills and self-awareness.
The next time you need to give feedback, approach it as an exploration rather than a declaration.
