Performance issues, attitude problems, skill gaps. How to give hard feedback that’s direct without being cruel, and that actually leads to change.

Josh Hornby

A practical guide for tech leads and engineering managers on delivering difficult feedback effectively. Covers core principles (be specific, address behavior not character, act early, keep it private), a structured conversation framework, how to handle common emotional reactions like defensiveness or silence, follow-up practices, and common mistakes to avoid such as the feedback sandwich or vague criticism. Also addresses what to do when feedback doesn't lead to improvement.

Giving Hard Feedback