Giving & Receiving the Feedback Gift

People like to share opinions.  Some opinions are delivered as criticism. People like to get feedback.  Most people dislike criticism.  Feedback delivered well, and received well, can be a gift...if we let it be!  In order to share opinions, ideas, admiration, and even constructive feedback, so the ideas may even be received as a gift for growth, consider phrasing your ideas in the following ways:

POSITIVE OBSERVATION

• NAME, what you do well is _________
• NAME, you are really good at is ___________
• NAME, you have a great ability to ____________
• NAME, your __________ was really impressive

POTENTIAL IMPROVEMENT

• NAME, you may want to consider ______________
• NAME, you might want to incorporate
• NAME, you may want to consider ______________ in order to improve ____________
• NAME, you might want to incorporate _____________ so you can _____________

By offering your opinions these ways, instead of the typical "I think..." or "I think you should", or "You need to..." comments, you make it about the other person (no "I"), and will likely have your ideas heard, and then considered as input and worthwhile feedback that may even be heard as a "gift"!