What Is Quality Feedback?
Think of the last time you received feedback:
- Was it a bit tough to hear?
- Was it a bit rough and rude?
- Was it constructive and supportive?
- Was it private or in front of the team?
Can you pinpoint what worked well and what didn’t go so well?
Aspects of Quality Feedback

We give feedback in order to improve a process or outcome or encourage the continuation of a positive behavior. Quality feedback is delivered – actually, it’s more like facilitated – in such a way as to achieve this. Managers need to be clear about what feedback they want or need to give. Maybe start by asking yourself, what is it that I want to achieve by giving the feedback (outcome-focused)?
During a feedback skills workshop, Ahmed realized that he had been giving feedback in all the wrong ways. He may have been a bit tough on himself, but I do credit him for realizing that he’s jumped into feedback conversations while still frustrated or angry, which led him to berate rather than have a conversation. He also admitted to liking the sound of his own voice and the level of authority he could hear in his tone. It came as no surprise that he could connect high staff turnover to his own performance in managing and leading his team.

When feedback is required, consider the place, words, tone, and context in which to deliver the feedback. If you are angry or frustrated, that’s your cue to keep your mouth shut and focus on calming down first.
Here’s is a helpful slogan:
Emotion High = Logic Low
Calm High = Logic High
Even if a manager doesn’t care what the employee thinks or how they feel, poor feedback continually given leads to, or at least contributes to, a toxic culture, low staff morale, a decrease in productivity, and increased staff turnover.
Quick Quality Feedback Checklist
- Specific
- Timely
- Solutions and behavior-focused, not a personal attack
- Done in an appropriate place
- Allows for open, honest, two-way communication
- Based on respect
Start with this checklist, and above all else, start by being calm and with a helpful mindset.