State the situation, describe the behavior, and share the impact, then stop to breathe. Ask what they noticed. By keeping it under a minute, you protect dignity, minimize spirals, and make space for joint problem-solving instead of courtroom-style rebuttals or anxious overexplaining.
Open with a genuine appreciation for effort or intent, and close by acknowledging progress to date. Between those bookends, deliver one actionable suggestion. This structure respects people while still moving standards forward, making feedback feel collaborative rather than punitive or performative.
Before offering guidance, ask the person how they would approach the next step. Listen, affirm strengths, and add one improvement. This cooperative loop grows ownership, surfaces hidden constraints, and turns advice into a shared experiment rather than a lecture from afar.