How to Give Feedback that Motivates
Dale Carnegie, the famous writer of How to Win Friends and Influence People, once said, “Don’t criticize, condemn, or complain.” He learned this after studying people for many years. Nobody likes to be blamed, even when they are clearly wrong. Criticism often makes people feel small, angry, or defensive.
But this does not mean we should ignore mistakes. If someone behaves badly or makes a wrong choice, it is important to guide them. The key is to give feedback in a way that helps them improve without hurting their feelings. Feedback should make people feel respected, not rejected.
One popular method for giving helpful feedback is the Sandwich Technique. This method has three steps: Praise, Growth, and Encouragement.
Praise
If you have worked with someone for a long time and they are still part of the team, it shows that they are doing good work. During evaluations, start by saying something positive about their contributions. For example, you can say, “I really like how you help the team with new ideas.” This puts the person in a positive mood and makes them ready to listen to the rest of your feedback.
Growth
No one is perfect. Everyone can improve. People often feel bad when mistakes are called “problems” or “failures.” It is better to talk about growth and learning. For example, instead of saying, “You did this wrong,” you can say, “Next time, you could try this method. It may work better.” This focuses on the action, not the person, and helps them see ways to improve.
Asking questions can also help. You might say, “How could we make this report even better?” Questions make the person think and feel involved. They are more open to feedback when it feels like a helpful conversation, not criticism.
Encouragement
People do better when others believe in them. The German philosopher Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Treat people as if they are what they ought to be, and you help them become what they are capable of being.” This means we should show faith in people’s abilities. Instead of pointing out mistakes and lowering confidence, say something like, “I know you can do it. Keep trying, and you will improve.” Encouragement motivates people to reach their full potential.
Feedback as Fuel
Giving and receiving feedback is a skill. Sometimes feedback may feel hurtful. But we can choose to learn from it. Feedback can become fuel for growth. We can use it to improve and reach a stage where people trust our skills and see our excellence at work. Feedback is not about blaming people. It is about helping them grow. By using the Sandwich Technique (Praise, Growth, and Encouragement), we can motivate people to improve while making them feel respected and supported. Feedback then becomes a tool for learning, confidence, and success.
Written by Everett Ofori