In giving feedback, first ask if they’re open to receiving it, then take note of your vocal tone. Our voices reveal far more than we sometimes realize. Or they carry unintentional information. If you hear it in other people, if their tone bothers you sometimes, assume you do the same.
You do have control over the tone and inflection of your voice.
Our tone is often a reflection of what we are truly thinking and of how we truly feel. But not always. It’s easier to learn to adjust our tone than to keep saying, “no, really I wasn’t being sarcastic” – for example.
Let your tone be caring, encouraging, and authentic – especially while giving suggestions for making something better.
Tone matters.
