In Part 1 of this series, we looked at why feedback matters and when to give it. Now let’s get practical: how do you actually give feedback in a way that is both honest and helpful?
Step 1: Plan Before You Speak
Rushed feedback often does more harm than good. Take time to:
Gather the facts.
Clarify the outcome you want.
Anticipate the other person’s response.
Preparation shows respect and sets the stage for a productive conversation.
Step 2: Start with the Right Tone
The first moments of a feedback conversation set the tone for everything that follows. Be respectful, calm, and clear about your purpose. For corrective feedback, avoid blame or judgment. For positive feedback, be specific about what the person did well.
Scripture reminds us, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Proverbs 15:1). If we begin gently, we open the door for real change.
Step 3: Make It a Dialogue
Feedback is not a lecture. It’s a conversation. Ask questions, listen actively, and pay attention to both words and body language. Paraphrase what the other person says to show you understand. This keeps the discussion open and builds mutual trust.
James 1:19 gives us the right posture: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” When we listen more than we speak, we show humility and care.
Step 4: Create an Action Plan
Feedback without next steps is incomplete. Work with the person to identify practical actions they can take moving forward. Make sure both of you agree on what success looks like. Then schedule a follow-up to review progress.
Paul writes in Galatians 6:1–2, “If someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently… Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Feedback is about restoration, not condemnation. It’s about helping each other carry burdens.
Step 5: Keep Building a Feedback Culture
One of the best ways to make feedback less intimidating is to make it normal. Give positive feedback often, not just during formal reviews. Encourage everyone on your team to give feedback to one another. The more common it becomes, the less fearful it feels.
Paul gives this encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” That’s the culture every workplace, team, and ministry should strive for.
The Bigger Picture
Giving feedback is not just about improving performance; it’s about building people. When done with care and clarity, feedback communicates respect, value, and belief in someone’s potential.
Remember: feedback is a gift. And when given wisely, it’s a gift that keeps on giving—strengthening individuals, teams, and communities for the glory of God.