How to Give Feedback to a Peer
Feedback from a manager comes with authority. Feedback from a peer has to come with trust. Done well, it is one of the most powerful things a teammate can offer.
To give feedback to a peer, ask permission first, choose a private moment, be specific about the behavior and its impact, share your perspective rather than a verdict, ask for their view, suggest one change, offer to help and follow up. Peer feedback works when it is clearly meant to help, not to judge or compete.
Valuable feedback is rare. Gallup found just one in four employees strongly agree they receive valuable feedback from the people they work with. Peers often see things managers never do.
The best teams I have been part of hold each other to a standard. That only works when people can be honest with each other kindly.
Seven steps to give feedback to a peer
- Ask permission. Can I share something?
- Pick a private moment. Never in front of others.
- Be specific. The behavior, not the person.
- Share the impact. On you, the team or customers.
- Ask for their view. You may be missing something.
- Suggest one change. Not a list.
- Offer help and follow up. You are on their side.
Ask permission
Starting with can I share something I noticed? signals respect and gives your peer a moment to be ready. It turns feedback into a conversation, not an ambush.
Be specific about behavior and impact
In Tuesday’s meeting, when the client asked about timing, the answer was cut short, and I think they left unsure is far more useful than you are rushing clients.
Ask for their view
You may not see the whole picture. Asking how did it feel from your side? keeps the conversation fair and often reveals something you missed.
Peer accountability is part of Your Team Is Capable of More. See also How to Give Feedback to Employees and How to Build Accountability on a Team.
Peer feedback works when it is clearly meant to help. Ask permission, choose a private moment, be specific about behavior and impact, ask for their view, suggest one change, offer help and follow up.
Frequently asked questions
How do you give feedback to a coworker?
Should peers give each other feedback?
How do you give feedback to a peer without damaging the relationship?
What if a peer reacts badly to feedback?
You Are Capable of More
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