Plus Feedback

Plus Feedback refers to everything you did well—and why.

Imagine I’m giving you feedback on a speech you’ve just delivered in my public speaking training.

Saying, “Well done!” might motivate you and bring a smile to your face. But it’s not enough. Why? Because while it feels good, it doesn’t help you learn.

True Plus Feedback goes deeper. I want to tell you not only what was good, but why it was good. Understanding the reason behind your success puts you in a position to grow and improve. That’s where real learning happens.

Examples

Self-Deprecating Humor

“You poked fun at yourself twice—once about your rural upbringing and then about your challenging life as a husband at home. Both moments got big laughs because self-deprecating humor is one of the eight humor patterns. It always works, and it always makes you likable.”

Using Objects for Impact

“At one point in your speech, you pointed at that glass of water over there and asked, ‘Do you remember what Bruce Lee said about water?’ Objects make your point more memorable because they trigger emotions in your audience. And emotions are memorable.”

An Engaging Opening Line

“I loved your opening line: ‘When is the last time you postponed your happiness?’ It’s brilliant for two reasons. First, it’s a closed question—a safe way to engage your audience. The brain automatically answers every question it hears, so you immediately gain 100% attention. Second, it’s a deep, reflective question. Who wouldn’t want to keep listening after hearing that?”

PlusPlus Feedback

PlusPlus Feedback refers to everything you can do better—and how.

Imagine I’m still giving you feedback on a speech you’ve just delivered in my public speaking training—this time focusing on the constructive side.

Saying, “Do it better!” might sound helpful, but it’s not enough. Why? Because while it may point out a need for improvement, it doesn’t give you the tools to learn and grow.

True PlusPlus Feedback goes deeper. I want to tell you not only what you could improve, but also how to improve it. With concrete examples and actionable advice, you’re empowered to grow. That’s where real transformation happens.

Examples

Purposeful Stage Movements

“Your stage is much more than a place to stand and speak. Next time, use it to captivate attention and support your transitions with purposeful horizontal stage movements. Follow the simple rule DPDP: different paragraph, different position.”

More Vocal Variety

“Has monotony ever been good? Turn your mouth into a musical instrument. When speaking about something exciting, pick up the pace and use a higher pitch. When discussing something serious, slow down, pause more, and use a lower pitch. The first step toward greater vocal variety is reliving dialogues with others in your speech.”

Share What You’ve Learned in Life

“You told us what trust means, providing definitions and general explanations. I call this a ‘Wikipedia speech’—like a teacher explaining how life works. In my experience, this style has low impact. Instead, inspire your audience with personal lessons learned about trust. When did you fail someone who deserved to be trusted? What did you learn from it? Those lessons can’t be found on Wikipedia.”