How to Give Constructive Feedback: Lessons from Rob Corddry

Have you ever had to give feedback to someone that you knew might hurt their feelings? Maybe you’re a teacher giving a grade on a paper, a boss reviewing an employee’s work, or even just giving advice to a friend. It’s not always easy to find the right words to say.

One person who has become an expert in giving feedback is Rob Corddry. If you’re not familiar with Corddry, he’s an actor, comedian, and writer who has worked on shows like The Daily Show and Childrens Hospital. But what you might not know is that he started out as a journalist, and he credits this background for teaching him how to give constructive feedback.

The Story of Rob Corddry

According to Corddry, his time as a journalist taught him “the art of asking questions and listening for the answer.” As an intern at Newsweek, he was tasked with fact-checking stories, which meant calling sources and making sure everything was accurate.

At first, Corddry was nervous about talking to these sources. But then he realized that by asking questions and truly listening to the answers, he could build relationships with these people. As he puts it, “I found out that people love to talk about themselves, and if you listen, you can learn so much.”

Over time, Corddry became more comfortable with giving feedback. He realized that the key was to approach it in a way that was helpful, not hurtful. As he says, “I always try to think of it as, ‘How would I want to receive this feedback? How would I want someone to tell me that I’m not doing something right?’”

Nowadays, Corddry uses these skills not just in his comedy writing, but in his everyday life. He’s not afraid to speak up when he sees something that could be improved, but he does it in a way that’s honest and respectful.

How to Give Constructive Feedback

So how can you give feedback like Rob Corddry? Here are a few tips:

1. Start with the positive

One of the biggest mistakes people make when giving feedback is to only focus on the negative. But for the person receiving the feedback, that can be demoralizing and discouraging. Instead, start by acknowledging what the person is doing well. For example, you might say:

“I really like the way you’re approaching this project. You’re being very thorough and detailed.”

Starting with something positive sets a more constructive tone for the rest of the conversation, and helps the person feel like they’re doing something right.

2. Be specific about what needs to change

After you’ve given some positive feedback, it’s time to talk about what needs to improve. But here’s the key: be specific about what you’re asking them to change. Don’t just say, “Your presentation needs work.” Instead, say something like:

“I think if you spent more time practicing your delivery, you could really knock this presentation out of the park. Can you work on that?”

Specific feedback gives the person something concrete to work on, and helps them understand exactly where they need to improve.

3. End on a positive note

It’s important to end the feedback conversation on a positive note, too. This helps the person feel like they’re making progress, and encourages them to keep working on the things they need to improve. For example, you might end with something like:

“I know you can do it. Keep up the good work!”

Ending with encouragement helps the person feel motivated, and gives them a sense of direction for next steps.

Conclusion

In summary, giving constructive feedback is all about balance. You want to acknowledge what the person is doing well, while still giving them specific things they can work on. And above all, you want to do it in a way that’s respectful and helpful.

Remember, even if someone’s jokes don’t make it on the air, they can still learn and grow from the feedback they receive. And by giving feedback like Rob Corddry, you can help them do just that.

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