Which practices characterize effective feedback?

• A. Structured approach, schedule, be specific, and invite dialogue
• B. Informal feedback once a year
• C. Focusing only on strengths
• D. Avoiding any questions

Answer: (A)

Feedback works best when it is structured, timely, specific, and interactive. A structured approach with a planned schedule keeps the conversation consistent and timely, so the feedback relates to recent work rather than something from months ago. Being specific means pointing to concrete actions or outcomes and describing exactly how they affected goals or results, which makes it clear what to change or continue. Inviting dialogue turns feedback into a collaborative process: it invites the other person’s perspective, clarifies any misunderstandings, and helps agree on concrete next steps. When feedback is regular and specific, people know what to improve and how to measure progress, which promotes growth and accountability. In contrast, feedback given only informally once a year tends to be vague and late, missing the context of recent work; focusing solely on strengths neglects areas for improvement; and avoiding questions stops the recipient from engaging, clarifying, and owning the next steps.