50+ Upward Feedback Examples to Foster Leadership Growth ⚠️

I’ve been thinking a lot about leadership lately especially the importance of upward feedback.

It’s not just about pointing out flaws it’s about creating a culture of continuous improvement and that starts with leaders being open to hearing feedback from their teams.

I recently discovered this amazing resource that offers a ton of examples for giving upward feedback and I wanted to share it with you.

Want to make your leadership even better? 💪 Give Deel Engage a try and see how it can supercharge your team! It’s like a magic wand for feedback! ✨

50+ Upward Feedback Examples to Foster Leadership Growth




Want to make your leadership even better? 💪 Give Deel Engage a try and see how it can supercharge your team! It’s like a magic wand for feedback! ✨

Imagine a world where leaders are proactively seeking feedback from their teams actively using it to refine their approach and fostering a culture of growth.

Sounds pretty amazing right? Well that’s exactly what upward feedback can do!

It’s not about complaining it’s about helping leaders understand how their actions impact their teams. It’s about providing constructive suggestions for improvement and ultimately creating a more supportive and effective working environment.

Feedback on Communication

It’s crucial for leaders to be clear and concise in their communication. I mean who wants to be left scratching their heads wondering what exactly is expected of them? When it comes to upward feedback we can highlight areas where communication could be enhanced.

Here are a few examples:

  • “I’ve noticed that sometimes the meeting agendas are sent out quite late which makes it difficult to prepare effectively.” This kind of feedback highlights a specific instance where communication could be improved providing a concrete suggestion.
  • “The project update emails could be more detailed providing clearer timelines and milestones for everyone to follow.” This focuses on improving the content and clarity of communication making sure everyone is on the same page.
  • “It would be helpful if there were more opportunities for team members to share their thoughts and ideas during meetings.” This encourages leaders to foster a more inclusive communication style where everyone feels heard.

Feedback on Management Style

A leader’s management style greatly influences the team’s morale and performance.

If a leader is overly controlling or micromanaging it can stifle creativity and motivation.

On the other hand a hands-off approach might leave team members feeling lost or unsupported.

This is where upward feedback becomes crucial. Here are some examples of how to give feedback on management style:

  • “I appreciate your trust in my abilities to handle tasks independently. It’s empowering to know you have confidence in me.” This positive feedback acknowledges the leader’s trust and autonomy-giving approach.
  • “I’ve found that having regular check-in meetings with you helps me stay on track and address any potential issues proactively.” This suggests a specific way to maintain a balance between autonomy and support.
  • “Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks assigned and it would be helpful if we could prioritize them together to ensure I’m focusing on the most crucial ones.” This addresses a potential workload issue and suggests a collaborative approach to task management.

Feedback on the Impact on Team Performance

Leaders play a crucial role in fostering a positive and productive team environment.

Their actions can significantly impact team dynamics and overall performance.

Upward feedback can be a powerful tool to help leaders understand how their actions are affecting the team.

Here are some examples of feedback on team performance:

  • “I’ve noticed that since we implemented your suggestion for daily stand-up meetings team communication and collaboration have significantly improved.” This example provides concrete evidence of how a leader’s action positively impacted team performance.
  • “The team feels more motivated and engaged after the recent team-building event. It fostered a stronger sense of camaraderie.” This highlights the positive impact of a leader’s initiative on team spirit.
  • “I feel that the team’s productivity has declined lately. It might be helpful to revisit our current project workflow and see if there are any bottlenecks we can address.” This offers constructive feedback suggesting a potential solution to address a decline in team performance.

Feedback on Team Collaboration and Support

Leaders should create an environment where team members feel supported and empowered to collaborate effectively.

Upward feedback can highlight areas where leaders can enhance team collaboration.

Here are some examples of feedback on team collaboration and support:

  • “I appreciate how you encourage us to share our ideas and perspectives creating a more open and collaborative team environment.” This praises the leader’s efforts to foster open communication and collaboration.
  • “The team would benefit from more opportunities to cross-train and learn from each other’s expertise. It would help us build a stronger sense of unity and improve our collective skillset.” This suggestion focuses on enhancing team knowledge sharing and collaboration.
  • “It would be helpful if you could facilitate more regular team meetings to discuss progress challenges and potential solutions. This would ensure everyone is aligned and working towards the same goal.” This feedback proposes a structured approach to team collaboration encouraging open communication and problem-solving.

Feedback on Support for Professional Development

A good leader understands the importance of investing in their team’s professional development.

They create opportunities for growth and provide the necessary resources for team members to hone their skills and advance their careers.

Here are some examples of feedback on support for professional development:

  • “I appreciate your support in encouraging me to pursue . Your guidance and encouragement have been invaluable.” This highlights the leader’s support for team member growth.
  • “I’ve noticed that some of the team members are interested in learning more about . Would it be possible to provide training opportunities or resources to support their development in this area?” This offers a suggestion for expanding professional development opportunities for the team.
  • “I would appreciate the opportunity to have regular career development conversations with you. This would help me identify growth opportunities and work towards my career goals.” This feedback expresses a desire for a more proactive approach to career planning and development.

Feedback on Recognition and Appreciation

Feeling appreciated and recognized for their hard work is essential for team members.

Leaders who make a conscious effort to acknowledge and celebrate team contributions create a positive and motivating work environment.

Here are some examples of feedback on recognition and appreciation:

  • “Your recognition of my contribution to the recent project was greatly appreciated. It motivates me to continue striving for excellence.” This example shows how positive reinforcement can boost morale.
  • “It would be great if we could have more opportunities to celebrate team successes together. It would create a stronger sense of unity and encourage continued teamwork.” This suggests creating a more celebratory culture to foster team spirit.
  • “I feel that my efforts and achievements are not always acknowledged publicly. It would be helpful if there were more opportunities for recognizing individual and team contributions.” This feedback addresses a concern about lack of public recognition and suggests ways to improve it.

Feedback on Goal-Setting

Clearly defined goals are crucial for success both for individuals and teams.

Effective leaders ensure that their team members have a clear understanding of goals and are aligned in their efforts to achieve them.

Here are some examples of feedback on goal-setting:

  • “I appreciate the way you involve the team in setting project goals ensuring everyone understands their role and contribution.” This recognizes the leader’s inclusive approach to goal setting.
  • “It would be helpful if we could revisit our team goals periodically to ensure they are still relevant and aligned with the company’s overall objectives.” This suggestion aims to keep goals dynamic and relevant.
  • “The team feels motivated by having clear and measurable goals. However it would be beneficial to have more regular progress updates and discussions to ensure we are on track to achieve them.” This feedback highlights the importance of monitoring and discussing progress towards goals.

Feedback on Organizational Alignment and Vision

Leaders should effectively communicate the organization’s vision and ensure that their teams are aligned with it.

This helps to create a sense of purpose and direction for the team fostering commitment and motivation.

Here are some examples of feedback on organizational alignment and vision:

  • “I appreciate the way you explain how our team’s work contributes to the company’s overall goals. It helps me understand the bigger picture and feel more connected to the organization’s mission.” This example shows how a leader effectively links team efforts to the organization’s vision.
  • “It would be helpful to have more opportunities to discuss how our work aligns with the company’s strategic initiatives and how our contributions impact the organization’s success.” This suggests creating more open dialogues to connect team efforts with the organizational vision.
  • “I feel that the team is not fully aware of the company’s long-term vision and goals. It would be beneficial to have regular communication sessions to share updates and foster a greater understanding of the company’s strategic direction.” This feedback highlights the need for increased transparency and communication about the company’s overall vision.

Feedback on Work-Life Balance and Well-Being

Leaders who prioritize their team’s well-being create a more positive and productive work environment.

They encourage healthy boundaries promote work-life balance and foster a culture where team members feel supported and valued.

Here are some examples of feedback on work-life balance and well-being:

  • “I appreciate your understanding when it comes to personal commitments and your willingness to be flexible to accommodate them.” This acknowledges the leader’s support for work-life balance.
  • “It would be helpful to have more discussions about work-life balance and to explore strategies for managing stress and maintaining well-being.” This suggests initiating conversations about work-life balance and well-being strategies.
  • “I feel that the workload can sometimes be overwhelming leading to burnout. It would be beneficial to discuss strategies for prioritizing tasks and promoting a healthier work-life balance.” This feedback highlights a potential concern about workload and suggests addressing it through open communication and solutions.

Feedback on Giving and Receiving Feedback

Leaders should set the example for open and constructive communication by actively seeking feedback from their team members.

They should also be receptive to feedback using it to improve their leadership style and approach.

Here are some examples of feedback on giving and receiving feedback:

  • “I appreciate your openness to receiving feedback and your willingness to listen to our perspectives.” This acknowledges the leader’s receptiveness to feedback.
  • “It would be beneficial to have more structured opportunities for giving and receiving feedback throughout the year rather than just during formal reviews.” This suggests creating a more continuous feedback culture.
  • “I feel that there is sometimes a lack of clarity regarding expectations for giving feedback. It would be helpful to establish clear guidelines and procedures for providing constructive feedback.” This highlights the need for clear guidelines for providing feedback.

Feedback on Decision-Making

Leaders should involve their teams in the decision-making process whenever possible.

This fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment ensuring that decisions are aligned with the team’s needs and perspectives.

Here are some examples of feedback on decision-making:

  • “I appreciate that you involve the team in making decisions that affect us directly. This ensures that our perspectives and expertise are considered.” This praises the leader’s inclusive approach to decision-making.
  • “It would be helpful to have more opportunities to provide input and feedback on important decisions that impact the team. This would help us feel more involved and invested in the outcome.” This suggests creating more avenues for team input on important decisions.
  • “I feel that sometimes decisions are made without consulting the team which can lead to frustration and a sense of disconnect.” This feedback highlights the need for increased transparency and team involvement in the decision-making process.

Feedback on Conflict Resolution

Leaders should be equipped to handle conflicts effectively and fairly.

This requires a neutral approach active listening skills and a commitment to finding mutually beneficial solutions.

Here are some examples of feedback on conflict resolution:

  • “I appreciate your ability to mediate conflicts effectively and ensure that all perspectives are heard.” This acknowledges the leader’s skills in resolving conflicts fairly.
  • “It would be beneficial to have more training on conflict resolution strategies particularly on navigating challenging situations and reaching mutually agreeable solutions.” This suggests further development in conflict resolution skills.
  • “I feel that sometimes conflicts are not addressed effectively which can lead to escalation and a negative impact on team dynamics.” This highlights the need for improved conflict resolution skills.

Feedback on Working Relationships

Leaders should build strong and positive working relationships with their team members.

This involves open communication trust and respect fostering a positive and productive team environment.

Here are some examples of feedback on working relationships:

  • “I appreciate your approachable demeanor and willingness to provide support and guidance whenever needed.” This praises the leader’s open and supportive communication style.
  • “It would be helpful to have more opportunities to connect with you on a personal level fostering a stronger sense of rapport and trust.” This suggests building more personal connections with team members.
  • “I feel that there are sometimes communication barriers that hinder effective collaboration and teamwork. It would be beneficial to explore ways to strengthen communication and improve relationships within the team.” This feedback highlights the need for improved communication and relationship building within the team.

Tips for Delivering Upward Feedback to Managers and Supervisors

you’ve got a whole bunch of feedback examples to draw from.

But how do you actually give that feedback in a way that’s constructive and effective? Here’s a breakdown of some essential tips to keep in mind:

1. Balance Positive and Constructive Feedback:

  • Focus on both positive and constructive feedback. Don’t just dwell on areas of improvement; highlight the manager’s strengths and the positive impact they have on the team.
  • It’s about creating a balanced picture of their leadership. For example you could say “I appreciate your ability to delegate tasks effectively which gives us more autonomy and responsibility. However I sometimes find it challenging to access the information I need to complete projects efficiently.”
  • This approach ensures the feedback is more constructive and less confrontational.

2. Be Respectful and Professional:

  • Remember feedback is a two-way street. It’s about creating a respectful dialogue where everyone feels heard and valued.
  • Use polite and respectful language. Avoid making accusatory statements or personal attacks.
  • Focus on behaviors and actions not personality traits. Instead of saying “You’re disorganized” say “I’ve noticed that the meeting agendas are often not sent out in advance which makes it difficult to prepare effectively.”

3. Collect Upward Feedback in Just a Few Clicks with Deel Engage

I know I know you’re probably thinking “This all sounds great but how do I actually implement this?” Well that’s where tools like Deel Engage come in.

Deel Engage is a fantastic platform that simplifies the process of collecting upward feedback.

It’s designed to make it easy to gather insights from your team providing valuable data to help leaders improve their performance and create a more positive work environment.

Here’s how it works:

  • Simple and user-friendly interface: It’s super easy to set up and use.
  • Customizable surveys: You can create tailored surveys to collect feedback on specific areas of leadership like communication management style or team support.
  • Anonymity for employees: It allows employees to provide feedback anonymously ensuring they feel comfortable expressing their honest opinions.
  • Real-time data and insights: You get instant access to the feedback collected giving you valuable insights into how your leaders are performing and where they can improve.

The best part? You can book a demo and see how Deel Engage can help you build a high-performance workforce!

Final Thoughts

So there you have it.

50+ upward feedback examples to help you empower your leaders and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

It’s not about criticism it’s about creating a dialogue that helps leaders grow and become even more effective.

Remember upward feedback is about helping leaders see themselves through the eyes of their team.

It’s a powerful tool for creating a more supportive and productive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected.

Now go forth and unleash the power of upward feedback!




Want to make your leadership even better? 💪 Give Deel Engage a try and see how it can supercharge your team! It’s like a magic wand for feedback! ✨

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