Turning Feedback into Fuel: How to Deliver Feedback That Drives Success at Work

This article is from SHRM:  https://shrm.co/c2utg5 According to SHRM’s 2025 State of the Workplace Report, employee experience ranks as a top priority for HR professionals, second only to business strategy. Yet, many employees feel disconnected:

• 34% feel unrecognized for their work

• 25% lack team collaboration and support

• 15% say performance evaluations are unfair

  
  

So, what’s missing? One critical tool: effective, thoughtful feedback.

Done right, feedback fuels growth, enhances performance, and builds a culture of trust. Done wrong—or not at all—it can lead to disengagement and turnover. The numbers speak for themselves: 80% of employees who receive meaningful feedback weekly report being fully engaged, according to Gartner.

As SHRM’s CHRO Jim Link puts it, “Effective feedback must go beyond a checkbox mentality.” When feedback is impersonal or vague, it becomes noise instead of guidance.

Why Feedback Matters More Than Ever

Effective feedback is a powerful lever for:

• Recognition – making people feel seen and appreciated

• Fairness – setting expectations and offering constructive support

• Engagement – motivating employees to take ownership of their development

• Delegation – empowering team members to grow into new responsibilities

  
  

Executive coach Lucinda Smith notes that strong delegation relies on clear, constructive feedback, helping team members feel confident and capable. Feedback isn’t just about correcting mistakes — it’s about building future leaders.

6 Feedback Tips That Actually Work

Here are six research-backed and experience-driven strategies to deliver feedback that inspires action and growth:

1. 🎯 Be Specific and Objective

Generic praise like “Nice job!” is forgettable. Instead, point to the exact behavior and its impact.✅ Try this: “Your summary helped the team clarify next steps and meet our deadline.”

2. ⚖️ Balance Strengths with Growth Opportunities

Celebrate wins, but also highlight areas to improve. This balanced approach builds trust and shows you’re invested in their success.

3. 🛠️ Offer Guidance, Not Just Critique

If something went off track, pair your observation with a solution.✅ Try this: “Next time, loop in the stakeholder early — they typically need visibility before final decisions.”

4. 📈 Tie Feedback to Development

Show how feedback aligns with the employee’s goals. Share your own journey—this personal touch helps the feedback resonate.

5. 💬 Create Space for Dialogue

Encourage employees to share thoughts, ask questions, and reflect. Two-way feedback helps clarify expectations and fosters deeper engagement.

6. 🔁 Follow Up on Progress

Reinforce improvement by acknowledging it. Recognition of effort reinforces growth and builds a culture of accountability.

✅ Try this: “I noticed you cc’d the stakeholder on the last few emails—great job applying the feedback.”

Drive the Organization Forward

Feedback isn’t just about correcting behavior—it’s about elevating performance, fostering growth, and building a culture of trust. When leaders approach feedback with empathy, specificity, and consistency, they create an environment where employees feel valued, empowered, and ready to rise.

By integrating these strategies into your daily leadership style, you can:

• Strengthen team communication

• Boost engagement

• Build future-ready leaders

• Enhance overall organizational performance

Because when feedback is done right, it becomes a powerful tool for transformation—not just for individuals, but for the entire organization.