Maybe one of the hardest things for pretty much anyone I know (yours truly being no exception) is giving feedback in a way that others can hear – and being able to receive it.
There is quite literally a whole section at your local bookstore (should you still have one) devoted to the subject. Concepts such as Radical Candor (developed by Kim Scott) provide a much-needed framework to make the process not just easier but also better.
Let me arm you with another tool which I found extremely helpful – and one we use all the time here at be radical. This one comes straight from my genius friends at the Stanford d.school:
IW/IW/WI – I like, I wish, What if
By facilitating feedback, for example at the end of a project session, in the form of three simple questions, starting with “I like…”, “I wish…” and “What if…” you create a space which allows for candid, honest feedback – delivered in a way that you can hear.
By creating a positive environment (especially with “I wish…” and “What if…”) you allow for critical feedback being given; in a way which has forward momentum and aims to make things better instead of a simple “this didn’t work/was bad”.
Give it a try – three small questions which have the power to change the way you give and receive feedback forever.