Dad's Quick Take
Good feedback is specific, about actions (not the person), and paired with a path forward. Receiving it well means listening, not defending, asking for specifics, and saying thank you — even when it stings.
Giving feedback
- Be specific — “The report was missing the totals,” not “your work is sloppy.”
- Focus on actions — what to do differently, not who they are.
- Be timely and private — soon after, and not in front of others.
- Offer a path forward — “Next time, double-check the math section.”
Taking feedback
This is the hard one. The instinct is to defend yourself — resist it. Listen fully, ask “Can you give me an example?”, and separate the message from the delivery. Even clumsy feedback often contains something useful.
Reframe it
Criticism of your work is not a verdict on your worth. The people who improve fastest are the ones who can hear “this isn't working yet” without falling apart.
Common questions
What if the feedback feels unfair?
Take what's useful, leave the rest, and you can calmly share your side: “I hear you — here's the context I was working with.”