Communication skills are essential for success in one’s personal life, in business and in all other endeavors one might take on. Often times, it isn’t the substance of a message or sentiment that matters; conversely, presentation matters many times more. In interpersonal communication, one’s intentions can be analogized to the substance of a message, whereas one’s tone of voice, the timing of wordplay and facial expressions can be compared to the presentation of such a message.

1. HOW TO
GIVE GOOD
FEEDBACK
Communication skills are essential for
success in one's personal life, in business
and in all other endeavors one might take
on.
LAWRENCE AULS | LAWRENCEAULS.COM

2. Communication
is Key
Often times, it isn't the substance of a message or sentiment that
matters; conversely, presentation matters many times more. In
interpersonal communication, one's intentions can be analogized
to the substance of a message, whereas one's tone of voice, the
timing of wordplay and facial expressions can be compared to the
presentation of such a message.
We often struggle with giving proper feedback to subordinates,
peers and friends who simply ask for our opinions on things out of
the blue. Almost everybody can benefit from brushing up on their
abilities to give feedback appropriately; always remember that
there are a few right ways and tons of wrong ways of giving
feedback - try to get it right the first time!

3. Ask
It might sound silly, but ask potential recipients of
constructive criticism if it’s OK to give them
feedback. This simple trick makes potential
recipients of feedback feel as if they’re in control.
As long as the feedback provider – in most cases, a
superior or someone in a position of relative
power is giving feedback – is polite, recipients
should take feedback well.
MAKE SURE THEY'RE OPEN TO FEEDBACK

4. Give
Suggestions
MAKE SURE TO TELL PEOPLE HOW
TO IMPROVE.
The work in progress has been told what
they didn’t do right, failing to tell that person
one or more ways that they could improve is
a bad idea. They’ll feel like they got
reprimanded and won’t be certain of how to
perform such tasks correctly the next time
around.

5. NEVER USE
GENERALIZATIONS
People often generalize in
arguments or derogatory
statements. They accuse others
of "always" doing this or that,
rather than call them out on
particular things they recently
did incorrectly. Generalizations
make people feel bad - stay away
from them.

6. THANK YOU!
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