• Make it easy – It should be easy for your customers or your team to give feedback. For example:
o For internal feedback, encourage people to use suggestion boxes, and make sure everyone knows where the boxes are
o Set up a feedback hotline or specific email address that allows people to offer comments quickly
o Give your managers and team the power to do whatever it takes to resolve a problem
o Offer incentives for people to provide feedback
• Use careful language – Watch your wording when you speak with, or write to, a customer or employee. Certain phrases create partnerships and may ease tense situations. For example: "Let's do this together" or "Let's find a solution for this" or "Here's how we can proceed." Also, make sure that you're actively listening to what people say
• Empathize – Some people may be angry about a problem. Empathize with them with phrases like "I know you're angry. I would be too," and try to see the situation from their point of view. Our article Conflict Resolution may help
• Prepare for difficult situations – When you speak with an angry person, it's easy to panic and become uncomfortable. Many of us feel threatened in these situations, which triggers our "fight or flight" response and makes it difficult to think clearly. Our article Role Playing teaches you how to prepare for difficult conversations