A young woman gives feedback to another
Leadership & HR
30.01.2026 Isabel Hempel 68894

5-finger feedback: tips for good feedback

By Darina Doubravova (Head of pme Academy) and Isabel Hempel (Editor)


Group feedback at the end of a seminar or team meeting is beneficial for everyone. We present effective methods for giving constructive feedback. For example, 5-finger feedback is a practical and easy-to-understand method for constructive feedback in teams and seminars. With the help of the five fingers, differentiated feedback on positive aspects, notable points, points of criticism, learnings, and missing points can be obtained quickly and easily. The method ensures clarity, appreciation, and improvements in everyday work. Get tips and variations on how to use it and possible alternatives here.

Giving feedback made easy:

1. Five-finger method - Each finger represents a statement

One method of giving quick and constructive feedback is the five-finger model. Each finger stands for a question that you answer in one or two sentences. Start with the tops!


 

Thumbs: I thought that was great! For example: "I particularly liked the fact that the discussions were open and constructive. The atmosphere was pleasant and everyone expressed themselves freely."

Pointing finger: I noticed that! For example. "I noticed that some topics were addressed several times. There were often similarities in the participants' observations."

Middle finger: I didn't like that! For example: "Some discussions dragged on, which made it difficult to focus on the key points. I would have liked a clearer structure here."

Ring finger: I'll take that with me! For example: "I have received valuable suggestions and new perspectives that I can incorporate into future projects."

Little finger: I didn't get enough of that! For example: "Unfortunately, there was little time for in-depth discussion of possible solutions. I would have liked some ideas to have been dealt with in more depth."

If time is short or the feedback should be more concise, only three fingers can be used, for example the thumb (positives), the ring finger (insights), the little finger (I missed that).

2. one-minute paper

Another method is the "one-minute paper" according to Werner Stangl. At the end of a team meeting, everyone receives a blank sheet of paper.

First, everyone writes all the positive feedback and thoughts on one side:

  • What have I understood?
  • What did I like?
  • What inspired/motivated me?
  • Where have I been able to work?

Any unclear or critical thoughts are written down on the back:

  • What have I not quite understood?
  • What touched me little?
  • What didn't I like?
  • What have I not been able to participate in?

An evaluation can take place immediately or at the beginning of the next meeting. The evaluation is carried out either by the manager or by a team member or participant.

Afterwards, the group's results are presented, the feedback is interpreted, and suggestions for possible changes and consequences are developed : What could be done differently next time?

3. especially for managers: How can I give feedback in difficult situations?

When it comes to addressing something that makes teamwork difficult, it is important to give feedback. But that is not so easy.

The tone must be right, and the words should be chosen wisely.

Executive coach Nina Lizon explains in this video how you, as a manager, can give constructive feedback.

 

Have fun testing these methods!

Are you familiar with our e-learning course on feedback?

It is not always easy to find the right words for constructive feedback. In our e-learning course on feedback, you can reflect on your own habits and receive helpful suggestions.

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FAQs about 5-finger feedback

What is the 5-finger feedback?

The 5-finger feedback is a structured model for quick feedback. Each finger represents a specific aspect of feedback: positive, noteworthy, criticism, insights, and missing.

How does the 5-finger feedback work in practice?

Each team member makes a brief statement about each of the five fingers. First, the positive aspects (thumb) are highlighted, followed by the other points in the order of the fingers.

When is this method particularly suitable?

The model is ideal for use at the end of meetings, workshops, seminars, or feedback sessions—especially when feedback needs to be gathered quickly and constructively.

How can I use the 5-finger feedback digitally?

The method also works via video conference, in chats, or with online whiteboards. Each participant can submit their answers in writing, and the results are discussed together.

What to do if the feedback is critical?

It is important to establish an appreciative framework and to treat criticism in a solution-oriented manner. Managers should address specific points of criticism and work with the team to formulate solutions.

zero New offer: referral to psychotherapeutic care

Woman is afraid
Offer
06.09.2024 Sabrina Ludwig 10566

New: Referral to psychotherapeutic care

Psychosocial counseling or coaching often helps to overcome a difficult life situation or conflict. For people with mental illnesses, however, this offer falls short. This is why the pme specialist counseling service refers its clients to initial therapeutic counseling, psychosomatic clinics or health insurance-financed psychotherapy if required.

Anyone looking for therapy needs two things above all: time and patience. Psychotherapy is hard to come by. On average, it takes up to six months to find a suitable psychotherapist. The waiting lists are long, and those looking can usually only reach the answering machines of the practices. The frustration threshold is quickly reached.

Tackling this hurdle is particularly difficult or even impossible if you are mentally ill yourself and suffer from depression, for example. "Then even the simplest things in everyday life are incredibly difficult. People with depression don't pick up the phone and spend months looking for a place in therapy," says Jutta Dreyer, Product Manager for Life Situation Coaching and pme Assistance. "That's why we want to provide support here and have put together a team that will start the search for a suitable place in therapy exclusively for pme customers."

Range of services (depending on the contractual agreement):

1. initial consultation/crisis intervention 24/7

2. referral to psychiatric care

3. anamnesis and discharge interviews by a psychological psychotherapist

4. placement in psychotherapy financed by health insurance (up to 8 hours of research)

5th consultation hour at the Schön Kliniken

6. shortened admission to the Schön Klinik Bad Arolsen (specialist clinic for psychosomatics)

7. online psychotherapy via MindDoc (online psychotherapy)

8. ongoing group coaching (type of self-help group to provide support and stability in difficult times)
 

Frequently requested counseling topics for mental illness/crisis are:

  • Dealing with employees who are mentally very stressed and ill (by managers)
  • Overburdened teams due to long-term absences
  • Crises and suicidal tendencies
  • Mentally ill employees who are desperately looking for psychotherapeutic care (hours of fruitless phone calls, waiting list, etc.)

Initial consultation with a psychological psychotherapist

Before a place in therapy or psychiatry can be arranged, it is often helpful for clients to have an initial consultation with a psychotherapist. During this consultation, the therapist clarifies, among other things, whether a mental illness is present and which treatment is the right one.

"The initial consultation is very important. Sometimes clients ask for psychotherapy. However, after we have talked to them in detail about their condition and medical history, addiction counseling or family counseling turns out to be suitable. Here, too, we start looking for a place".

Jutta Dreyer, family therapist, pme Familienservice

Focus of content:

1. anamnesis

2. psychoeducation about the disorder

3. joint development of an individual explanatory model for the problem

4. use of psychotherapeutic interventions

5. assistance with the problem

Note: The anamnesis is conducted by a psychological psychotherapist permanently employed by the pme Familienservice .

Good to know: 52 percent increase in days absent due to mental illness

Depression, anxiety, burnout: mental illness has a major impact on employee absenteeism and reached a new high in 2023. This is shown by the current DAK-Gesundheit mental health report based on the sick notes of 2.39 million DAK-insured employees. Across all occupational groups. DAK-insured employees had a total of 323 days of incapacity to work per 100 insured persons.



​​​​​​​The statistics show the development of days of incapacity for work (AU days) due to mental illness (F00-F99) in Germany from 2013 to 2023 (source: Statista).
 

Life coaching: Counseling and coaching for conflicts and crises

In our consultations and coaching sessions, we work according to the approach of solution-oriented consulting and support your employees in professional and private crises such as conflicts at work, psychological stress, parenting issues, addiction problems, financial emergencies and much more.

In recent years, the pme Familienservice has continued to develop its range of services in order to find suitable solutions for employees and companies.