September 7, 2025 Companies with effective feedback cultures see 14.9% higher employee engagement and 12.5% greater productivity. The difference isn’t what feedback they give—it’s how they give it.”
The Most Effective Way of Giving Feedback at Work
The most effective workplace feedback combines several key elements:
The SBI Framework
One of the most effective approaches is the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) model:
- Situation: Describe the specific context
- Behavior: Objectively state what was observed
- Impact: Explain the effect of the behavior
Key Principles
- Be timely Give feedback close to the event while it’s fresh, but not when emotions are running high.
- Be specific Focus on observable behaviors and concrete examples rather than generalizations or personality traits.
- Balance positive and constructive Recognize strengths alongside areas for improvement. The ideal ratio is typically 3-4 positive comments for each constructive one.
- Make it actionable Provide clear, practical suggestions for improvement rather than vague criticisms.
- Create dialogue Make feedback a two-way conversation, not a one-sided critique. Ask questions and listen.
- Follow up Schedule check-ins to discuss progress and provide additional support.
- Consider privacy Choose the right setting—praise can often be public, but constructive feedback should be private.
The most effective feedback helps the recipient understand what to continue doing, what to start doing, and what to stop doing in a way that preserves their dignity and motivates improvement.
