1. Make your feedback specific as related to behavior.
          Good:  "Henry, you have been 15 minutes late for the last three mornings.  Please explain why."
          Bad:  "Henry, you are lazy and have a poor attitude towards your job."
           
        2.  Consider your timing, either before the event in the form of advice, or immediately after it as positive feedback.   
           
          Good:  (advice) "Sally, I'd like to review the content of your presentation with you before your speech next week so you can really do a good job in front of the group."
          Bad:  (criticism) "Sally, because you've done such a poor job in the past, I need to preview the speech you plan on giving next week."
          Good:  (positive) "Sally, you did an outstanding job in organizing your presentation for the meeting. The speech was well-researched and logical."
          Bad:   (positive but not specific) "Sally, good speech last week. Keep up the good work!"
           
        3. Give the feedback in calm and unemotional language. 
           
          Good:  "Joe, I'm sure your progress will be much faster now that you are clear on how to use this new machinery."
          Bad:   "Joe, isn't it about time you improved your production with this machine?"
           
        4. Check to be sure clear communication has occurred. 
           
          Good:  "Mary, do you know the importance of recording all my phone messages? Can you explain it to me so I know you understand?"
          Bad:  "Mary, I'm sure you got it all, huh?"
           
        5. Focus on behavior the receiver can do something about. 
           
          Good:  "Sam, we would appreciate you keeping the team informed about the status of the project."
          Bad:  "Sam, why don't you like to talk to other people?"
           
        6. Use "I" statements as opposed to "you" statements to reduce defensiveness. 
           
          Good:  "Tim, when you play your radio in the work area, I lose my concentration. Would you mind turning it off during regular work hours?"
          Bad:  "Tim, you are so inconsiderate of other people when you leave your radio on."
           
        7. Define the impact on you, the unit, the team and the company. 
           
          Good:  "Sarah, when you don't get your report to me on time, I can't get my report to my boss on time. This slows up decisions about resources needed for next month."
          Bad:  "Sarah, can't you ever get your reports to me on time?" 
           
        8. Solicit feedback rather than impose it. 
           
          Good: "Linda, did you say you would like to learn how to handle your most difficult customers more effectively? Here are some things that have worked for me..."
          Bad: "Linda, I saw the way you handled Mrs. Dawson during this crisis. It really stinks."