Share

Giving constructive feedback to motivate your team

Written by
Gabriela Dittrichova
Published on
June 24, 2021

Giving feedback - something you might dread but have to do regardless if you are in charge of a team. Performance reviews, project wrap-ups and self-reflections are all part of daily operations. But now that most of us work remotely, how can you encourage and inspire your team to do their best from the comfort of their home? Giving constructive feedback might be easier than you think! 

On Monday, April 6, we are running a free webinar with Dinah Spritzer on Giving & Getting Feedback. You can sign up here and before you join us, read below how you could improve the performance of your team and ensure everybody is on the same page whilst working from home. 

Develop trust 

Being a trusted member of the team is as important as being able to manage the team. Therefore, make sure you spend enough time getting to know your colleagues and recognise not only their strengths and weaknesses but also their preferred way in which they receive feedback.  

If they believe that you have their best interests at heart, they are more likely to open up and listen to you. This will make it easier for you to assign the correct tasks to them. To show you can be trusted, be honest, open and direct with your team members. Only then will they feel inspired to act the same. 

 

Pause and reflect

Telling someone what they should do can be stressful and daunting. But it has to be done if you want to move forward. So, before you start to chat with someone, pause and think. This gives you time to realize their unique perspective which you can further develop whilst listening to the other party during your conversation. Instead of giving orders, ask for opinions and pose questions to make them feel empowered. 

Have an agenda 

Once you start talking to someone, it is easy to lose track of time. In such cases, plan the structure of your meeting and follow through. Do not have more than three main points to discuss and ensure you have enough time to go over all of them. If the conversation drifts off, gently bring it back to the topic. And always include time for questions when drafting an agenda for any kind of meeting. 

Ask specific questions

To understand your team better, try to listen more than you speak. Make your sentences clear and brief, so you have time for feedback from the addressee. Consider starting the meeting with these questions:

  • How do you feel about your current task(s)?
  • What help do you need from me/the team? 
  • Which tasks do you enjoy the most? 

Record the outcome

Before you both leave the room, make sure each of you records the outcome of the meeting on a piece of paper or on the phone (again, this can be used for any kind of meeting). Come back to your notes after some time, once you have sufficient time to process the conversation and detach from emotions, summarise the discussed points and create a follow-up plan.

Follow up promptly

Be the role model and take responsibility for your actions. Follow up in a timely manner with your colleagues on the agreed points you discussed one-on-one and ensure they are on the same page. Regular conversations guarantee that everyone copes well with their assigned workload. 

If you see someone struggling, grab a coffee together and follow the steps above. Contrarily, if you don’t notice anything wrong, make sure you are always approachable, so your team members feel encouraged to reach out to you if something doesn’t feel right to them. 

Should you wish to give constructive feedback, the key is to develop trust with your colleagues, be empathetic and structure your meetings. Don’t waste either your or your colleague’s time. Whether you lead a team of 100 or are in charge of two people, the principle of giving feedback is the same. Be human, be fair and be kind. We are all people and we want to be treated fairly and nicely. It really is that simple!

Join our newsletter
Receive the newest blog posts, event invites, and more
Read about our privacy policy.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Popular guides
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
See more guides

Latest blog posts

Leadership

Navigating Cross-Cultural Communication: Where Do We Start?

With globalization and post-COVID trends, our world is more interconnected than ever. You can hire a team member who has never visited your country, collaborate with colleagues on the other side of the globe, or lead a remote project spanning multiple time zones. Easy? In many ways, yes – it’s never been more accessible. But let’s be honest: working across cultures still brings challenges.
Olga Mukhina
April 30, 2025
Entrepreneurship

"You look like a professional, and I trust you." How Personal Style Can Transform Confidence, Careers, and Connections

Veronika Maresova—founder, CEO, and lecturer at Empower Your Image—has spent over 10,000 hours coaching clients to align their inner mindset with their outer presence. In this insightful interview, she shares real-life transformations that prove personal style is more than fabric and colour—it’s a powerful tool for building self-esteem, strengthening professional relationships, and opening doors you didn’t think possible.
Femme Palette
August 13, 2023
Career

Empowering Women in Tech: insights on leadership, AI, and the future of work at the Femme Palette event

On April 15th, 2025, tech professionals and aspiring leaders gathered at Pure Storage in Prague for an empowering Femme Palette event dedicated to career progression and leadership in tech. The vibrant evening was filled with insightful discussions, practical workshops, and meaningful connections, leaving attendees inspired and equipped to advance their careers.
Femme Palette
August 13, 2023

Sky rocket your career now!