Feedback is a Powerful Tool

Aatir Abdul Rauf

By 

Aatir Abdul Rauf

Published 

Aug 7, 2022

Feedback is a Powerful Tool

Feedback is a powerful tool for managers to keep growing their team. However, it's also incredibly easy to get wrong.

Here are 4 factors many managers struggle to get right:

1. Density

"This design is bad" is ironically bad advice in of itself. The litmus test of good feedback is if it's recipient can instantly act upon it.

However, pushing too much prescriptive feedback is pointless as well. It kills the resource's creativity and diminishes trust.

2. Timing

I know managers that will start flipping out when someone's just created an outline or draft. Giving feedback too soon shows impatience.

However, a pure "waterfall" mindset isn't great either. It's best to check in before the deadline to course-correct if needed.

3. Tonality

Tone-deaf feedback can be misleading.

If you have 5 points and some have greater priority and urgency than others, make that obvious.

Similarly, clarify if your feedback is a deal breaker or exploratory.

4. Knowing when to stop

Arguably the toughest of them all.

Over-engineering something can be counter-productive. Nothing will ever be perfect.

Sometimes a few imperfections in the interest of time-to-market is a better bargain.

Also, don't give feedback for feedback's sake.

Subscribe to Aatir's Newsletter

Weekly Product Management & Marketing Insights in your inbox

Behind Product Lines

The unfiltered truth about the wonders & perils of product management marketing & growth in practice.

Related Posts