Day 4 Tip - Advent Calendar 2025 (Feedback)

Day 4: How to Give Feedback That Actually Works — The EEE Model

I can appreciate how hard giving feedback can feel be and it can make the giver and receiver of the feedback feel uncomfortable. But that is where using EEE can help you. Example - Effect - Expectation.

Create a safe space with clarity to provide feedback using the EEE Model

So next time you think about giving feedback - supporting a colleague, leading a team, mentoring someone, or even navigating a tricky situation at home, think about using these three headings, because giving feedback doesn't need to create tension. Using this model, it becomes clear, fair and constructive every time.

Giving feedback can feel uncomfortable, whether you’re supporting a colleague, leading a team, mentoring someone, or even navigating a tricky situation at home. But feedback doesn’t need to create tension. With the EEE Model, it becomes clear, fair and constructive every time.

The structure is simple:

1. Example — What happened?

Stick to the facts, not opinions.

“The report was submitted two days after the deadline.”

2. Effect — Why it matters.

Explain the impact.

“This delayed the client handover and affected the project timeline.”

3. Expectation — What needs to happen next.

Be specific and supportive.

“Going forward, I need reports submitted on or before the deadline so the team can plan effectively.”

This approach works because it is:

• Clear and structured

• Emotionally safe

• Focused on behaviours, not personalities

• Easy to understand and act on

  
  

It also helps remove ambiguity which is the main source of most workplace frustrations.

So Today’s challenge is to:

1. Take one piece of feedback you need to give

2. Rewrite it using the EEE structure

3. Deliver it calmly and confidently

Feedback shouldn’t feel like confrontation. It should feel like clarity. The EEE Model makes that possible.

Hazel, Empowering Your Circle