Cognitive Scaffold

Preparing your thinking workspace

arrow_back_ios_new
MENTAL MODEL · M6886

Tell-Ask-Give

Tell-Ask-Give
BehaviorHigh supportManagerial Psychology
Included
account_tree

Updated 2026-08-22

Loading revision record…

INTRODUCTION

English translation pending.

CORE DEFINITION

TAG is a feedback sequence with three parts. Tell names one specific thing the person did well. Ask poses an open question or raises a doubt that invites the recipient to reflect. Give offers one actionable improvement suggestion. Opening with a genuine strength establishes safety, the question makes the recipient think rather than merely receive, and the suggestion then lands on prepared ground. The order matters: a suggestion delivered before acknowledgement tends to trigger defence instead of consideration.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

- Use specific praise: name one concrete thing the person genuinely did well and why. - Use open question: ask an open question that prompts the recipient to reflect. - Use actionable suggestion: close with one concrete improvement that they can apply next time.

anchor

Anchor fast decisions

Leading with acknowledgement rather than criticism lowers defensiveness. Tell establishes safety with a genuine strength, Ask uses an open question to make the recipient think rather than merely receive, and Give supplies a concrete suggestion. Putting the positive first makes the later suggestion easier to accept.

MINIMUM ACTION

In progress 0/1

Practice this model in one real situation:

Check to track your progress (stored locally)
Learning progress0%
account_treeGenealogyexpand_more
menu_bookReferencesexpand_more

Source support: Explicit

  • link
    en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer_assessmentZH · Explicit
    verified

RELATED MODELS

Related model

Belbin Team Roles

The Belbin Team Inventory, also called Belbin Self-Perception Inventory (BSPI) or Belbin Team Role Inventory (BTRI), is a behavioural test. It was devised by Raymond Meredith Belbin to measure preference for nine Team Roles; he had identified eight of these whilst studying numerous teams at Henley ...

arrow_forwardRelated model

Theory X and Theory Y

Theory X and Theory Y are theories of human work motivation and management. They were created by Douglas McGregor while he was working at the MIT Sloan School of Management in the 1950s, and developed further in the 1960s. McGregor's work was rooted in motivation theory alongside the works of Abraha…

arrow_forwardRelated model

McClelland's Theory of Needs

People are primarily driven by three learned motives, with different emphases: - Achievement motive: pursuit of excellence, liking challenges (suitable for entrepreneurs)

arrow_forward