The Secret to Better Feedback:
A Two-Way Approach

By Hannah Baker

Dear Reader,

Ever been in a feedback session that felt... one-sided?

You’re sitting there, listening to a barrage of opinions, and you start wondering—Is this even useful?

The truth is, feedback can feel overwhelming when it’s not treated as a dialogue. That's because feedback is a two-way street.

It's not just about one person talking and the other listening; it's about exchanging ideas that help both parties grow.

The best part?

Whether you’re the one giving or receiving feedback, you have the power to shape that conversation and make it a positive experience for everyone involved.

Receiving Feedback

Getting feedback can feel daunting, but it doesn't have to. You have the power to guide the conversation and ensure the feedback you receive is helpful and focused.

1. Give Context Beforehand

Imagine asking for feedback without explaining the project's background. The feedback you get could be all over the place! Start by giving context: What problem are you solving? What constraints are you working with? The more the reviewers know, the more relevant their feedback will be.

2. State Your Goal

What are you trying to achieve? Are you refining a user flow? Testing a new feature? Make sure to state your goal clearly so that the feedback focuses on what matters most.

3. Ask for Specific Feedback

Don’t just ask, "What do you think?"—that's way too open-ended. Instead, ask for feedback on specific areas. For example:

• "I want to understand better..."
• "I want to hear about your experience with..."
• "I want to know what was difficult with..."

By doing this, you’re not just a passive recipient of feedback—you’re actively shaping the direction of the conversation.

What Comes Next: Processing Feedback

Okay, so you’ve asked for feedback, and you’ve got some great input.

What now?

1. Paraphrase to Confirm Understanding

Paraphrasing helps ensure you and the person giving feedback are on the same page. For example, you could say,

2. Ask Clarifying Questions

This is your chance to dig deeper. Ask questions to really understand where the feedback is coming from. For example,

By staying curious and engaged, you take control of how the feedback is understood and applied, empowering yourself to make informed decisions.

Giving Feedback

Now, let’s flip the script. If you're giving feedback, you have just as much power to ensure it’s constructive and actionable.

Here’s a simple framework to guide you:

1. Describe What You See

Start by objectively describing what you’re seeing without judgment.

2. Interpret What You Think

Once you’ve described the situation, move on to what you think it means.

3. Make a Judgment, but Back It Up

Finally, offer your opinion but always support it with evidence.

When you give feedback with clarity and evidence, you empower the recipient to take action and improve.

Feedback isn’t about tearing down—it’s about building up.

Empower Yourself Through Feedback

Whether you're giving or receiving feedback, remember this: you’re not a passive player.

You have the power to shape the conversation, ask the right questions, and guide the process toward better outcomes.

Feedback is about growth—for both sides.

When you approach it as an active participant, you improve the work and build stronger, more collaborative relationships.

Last Chance for Facilitating Workshops in 2024

If you’re interested in taking your facilitation skills to the next level—paraphrasing, structuring conversations, and even learning how to design a workshop from scratch—tomorrow is the last day to grab a spot in the upcoming Facilitation Workshop.

Until next time!

Hannah Baker ​Facilitator & Co-Founder ​The Fountain Institute

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