Timing the Microwave

The best time to deliver microwave feedback is within 24 hours of the event, in a private, low-pressure setting. Avoid high-stress moments, and never deliver it in front of others — an audience turns a useful note into a public verdict.

Read the room first. If someone just got bad news or is rushing to a deadline, wait for a calmer window. The feedback itself takes two minutes, but choosing the right moment can mean the difference between a note that changes behavior and one that breeds resentment. When in doubt, ask: "Is now a good time for a quick observation?"