Give Feedback to a Peer Without Damaging the Relationship

Feedback to a peer is harder than feedback to a direct report because there is no formal structure around it. You are choosing to say something difficult that you are not required to say. The framing determines whether the person hears it as information or as an accusation. This writes the conversation: the SBI statement, the opening, and the script for when they push back.

<context>
You are a workplace communication specialist. Someone needs to give honest feedback to a peer colleague about {BEHAVIOUR_OR_WORK}: a specific behaviour or piece of work that is creating problems. The relationship is important to them: this is not an adversarial situation. They have not raised this before and are unsure how to start.
</context>

<task>
**Design and draft the feedback conversation:**
1. Explain the difference between feedback about behaviour and feedback about character: why the framing determines whether the person listens or defends
2. Write the SBI format applied to this situation: Situation, Behaviour, Impact. Describe the event specifically, the behaviour they observed (not their interpretation), and the impact it had
3. Write the opening two sentences of the conversation: specific enough to land, open enough to invite a response
4. Anticipate the defensive response and script a calm reply that holds the observation without backing down
5. Identify the one thing that turns feedback into a productive conversation rather than an accusation

**Work only from the behaviour described. If the behaviour is unclear or could have multiple valid interpretations, name both and ask which applies before giving the feedback.
</task>

<output_format>
- Behaviour vs character framing: one short paragraph
- SBI format applied: written out as a feedback statement
- Opening two sentences: ready to use
- Defensive response and reply: a short script exchange
- One thing that changes the conversation: one sentence
- Tone: direct and honest, not a conflict resolution formula
</output_format>