Feedback is valuable, no matter what the circumstance may be. Employees need feedback and not just criticisms. Effective feedback should offer insight into performance in an easy-to-understand way.

Here are some guidelines on how to give effective feedback:

1. Make sure you’re focused on the behavior and not the person. It’s essential to keep in mind that we are a sum of our actions, not the other way around. Not getting clear on this distinction can lead to hurt feelings and resentment.
2. Focus on behaviors over emotions. It’s essential to be mindful of your feelings and theirs, and how they can create a barrier between you and the person receiving your feedback.
3. Keep it concise. If it’s too long, people tend to tune out due to boredom, frustration, or both. The message will also get lost by being too general and not specific enough about how to improve the situation.
4. Be descriptive but not judgmental. Phrases such as “You are doing a poor job” or “This is unacceptable” can easily be misinterpreted and construed as personal attacks. Describe the problem so that they understand it clearly.
5. Be mindful of when you give feedback. Select the best time to provide feedback for the best results. If the timing is off, your message may be lost or misinterpreted.
6. Leverage one-on-one meetings rather than group settings. Personal conversations are always better when it comes to giving feedback and having a difficult conversation.
7. Get commitment and provide growth opportunities. Ask your employees for action steps so that you both know where things stand. Clarifying that information to your employees can help with their motivation and engagement while building a culture of continuous learning.
8. Ask for feedback. A great way to receive meaningful and helpful feedback is to practice asking for it. This creates a win-win situation where they feel heard, appreciated, respected—and you get a wealth of information that will help you become a much better manager.
9. Acknowledge people’s efforts and results. Positive reinforcement is important, especially if an individual is working to change or improve how they do something. This will keep morale up and make your team feel valued Never underestimate the power of timely praise for consistently good work.

The most important thing is for you to be sure that whatever it is you’re giving feedback on, it’s authentic and truthful. Feedback given in this way fosters an atmosphere of trust and collaborative effort. Use the helpful tips listed above as a guide to give effective feedback your team can use to grow professionally and personally, and create a shared vision for the future.