Deadlines are close. Ambitions are high. Everyone’s got 17 tabs open and a list that keeps getting longer. And then, right in the middle of all this craziness, you know someone on your team needs feedback. But let’s face it — giving feedback when life is crazy feels uncomfortable. Sometimes it feels more comfortable to just get it fixed yourself or postpone it until later.

Here’s the thing: under pressure, feedback can either inspire or totally shatter trust — and how you give it matters.

1. Don’t Provide Feedback in Fire-Fighting Mode

Simply because pressure is on does not mean it’s the appropriate time. If an individual is clearly stumped or in the middle of a crisis, that is not when to mutter, “Hey, regarding that report…”

Instead: note it down, give context later when the person is in a calmer headspace.

2. Stick to Behavior, Not Emotion

It’s easy to let stress seep into your tone — but “You’re careless with details” hits very differently than “There were a few data errors in the report — let’s go over how to catch them.”

High-pressure conditions already have tension. Don’t add to it — be objective and compassionate.

3. Be Specific, Not Ambiguous

“Next time let’s do better” doesn’t mean anything.

Do this instead: “The brief fell short of X, Y, and Z — can we walk through how to catch those early next time?”

Specific feedback allows people to learn and improve quickly — which is exactly what you need when deadlines are tight.

4. Normalize Real-Time Check-Ins

Feedback shouldn’t be like a Big Scary Thing.

Leave room for mini check-ins:

“Speed bump — that call was successful, but next time let’s involve the design team sooner.”

Regular, low-risk feedback keeps things healthy in communications — even in stressful times.

5. Feedback Is a Two-Way Street

Yes, even during crunch time. Ask:

“Was there anything I could’ve done to make that smoother?”

This establishes trust and demonstrates you’re not only moving traffic around — you’re both working together.

Final Thoughts

High-pressure situations put your team’s speed to the test — but they also test your communication style. And done correctly, feedback can be the thing that allows your team to flourish in the pressure rather than break under it.