"Becky (not her real name) just completed a project she was very proud of. She poured her heart and soul into the work, and countless hours. Was it perfect? No. Was it solid? Yes. When Becky went to meet with her boss to discuss the project and how to improve it for next year, the only words she got were "Good job. You're doing fine. Keep it up." Becky nods politely and walks away."
"Feedback isn't about kindness. It's about clarity. Without clarity, no one grows, and nothing improves. We're thinking about feedback all wrong. Instead of thinking of it as critique, consider it as ideas for the future. It's not about negating the work you've done, but considering how to make it bigger, bolder, stronger for the next round. The first is depleting; the second is inspiring."
"Employees crave good feedback, and according to Gallup, it leads to better engagement at work. The human brain treats feedback as both a reward and a threat; vague feedback provides neither certainty nor safety. When feedback is specific and future-focused, it reduces ambiguity and increases motivation. This is especially true for high achievers who see actionable guidance. When I run workshops on feedback, one of my favorite reflection exercises is Always/Sometimes/Never, first developed by Dr. Stephen Brookfield."
Vague praise like "good job" leaves employees uncertain about what to continue or change and prevents growth. Effective feedback combines appreciation, coaching, and evaluation to clarify specific, future-focused actions that increase motivation and trust. Feedback functions as both reward and threat in the brain; specificity reduces ambiguity and feels safer, especially for high achievers seeking actionable guidance. Reframing feedback as forward-looking ideas inspires improvement rather than depleting morale. Structured reflection exercises such as Always/Sometimes/Never help leaders identify precise language to use. Clear, actionable feedback drives engagement, development, and stronger organizational performance.
Read at Psychology Today
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