What is actionable suggestion?

An actionable suggestion is a specific piece of advice given in response to a request for improvement. It provides guidance on what to do differently in the future to achieve better outcomes. For example, instead of asking for broad feedback after a presentation, asking for "one thing I could do better next time" prompts more useful and concrete advice. This approach steers away from general praise or criticism and yields specific recommendations that one can act upon, such as changing how one opens a speech or improving connections between points to maintain coherent narratives. This subtle shift encourages a coaching mentality and leads to suggestions that are more likely to be constructive and beneficial for growth 1.