Feedback Safety in 3 simple steps

Three Quick Questions Leaders can ask themselves to increase Psychological Safety in Feedback Conversations

Leaders often ask me: How do I make feedback conversations feel safe, supportive, and constructive?

The answer doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, it can be as simple as pausing to ask yourself three quick questions:

1️. Did I have a Warm-Up before the Feedback conversation?

Setting the scene with a Warm-Up makes feedback less of a surprise and more of a shared commitment to growth.

2️. Did I offer Acknowledgement Feedback before Evaluation or Guidance Feedback?

Acknowledging what’s working builds trust. It tells your team you see their efforts—before you shift into areas for improvement.

3️. Did I do a Cool-Down afterwards?

Closing the loop ensures people walk away with clarity, not confusion. It also reinforces the relationship, so the next conversation is even easier.

When you run through these three questions, you build psychological safety into the structure of your feedback—not just the intention.

Try them in your next feedback conversation and notice the difference in how your team responds.

Ready to build a Feedback Fit culture in your organisation in 2026?

Explore how our programs can support you here: 👉 https://www.sue-anderson.com.au/programs