Why Vague Feedback Like “Communicate Better” Doesn’t Help
“You need to communicate better.”
This kind of vague feedback leaves someone guessing about what they should actually change.
Should they write shorter emails? Give earlier updates? Listen more carefully? Explain instructions more clearly?
Without an example, the person is left to guess. They may make an effort and still miss what you wanted.
One comment, several possible meanings
Imagine a team member sends an update about a delayed delivery. Their manager replies: “You need to communicate better.”
The manager means the update should have included an expected delivery date. The team member assumes the email was too brief, so next time they write a longer explanation—but still leave out the date.
Both people believe they have addressed the issue. The same problem happens again.
The missing detail was an expectation that had never been clearly explained.
Give the person something they can identify
Compare these two comments:
“You need to communicate better.”
“Your delivery update explained the delay, but it did not include an expected arrival date. The customer needed that information to plan their staffing.”
The second comment identifies what was missing and why it mattered. It gives the person a clear starting point for a discussion.
It also leaves room to discover something useful.
Perhaps the delivery date was unavailable, or the team member did not know who to ask.
Watch for other vague phrases
Comments such as “Be more professional,” “Show more initiative” and “Improve your attitude” can have the same problem.
The person giving the feedback may have a specific incident in mind. The person receiving it may have no idea which incident—or which action—the comment refers to.
Before using one of these phrases, ask yourself:
Could the person identify what I mean from the words I am about to use?
If the answer is no, choose a concrete example.
If you receive vague feedback
You can ask for clarification without dismissing the feedback.
For example:
“Could you give me an example of what you would like me to do differently?”
That question helps move the discussion towards an action you can understand and consider.
Clearer feedback is a starting point
A specific example can open a useful conversation. Handling the rest of that conversation takes practice, particularly when people disagree or feel uncomfortable.
OIAT’s Giving and Receiving Feedback course provides practical, self-paced online learning to help you prepare for these discussions and respond constructively.
Explore Giving and Receiving Feedback on our Training page.
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