Do you give it?  And if so, how?

Constructive criticism is not always easy to give. 

Both of my kids (now very grown) will tell you that when they were young, if I started a sentence with “Can I make an observation . . . “, they knew what was coming.  I suppose for better or worse, but I always thought better. They may not have agreed.

In the work context, I think giving effective constructive criticism is important to help those around you grow professionally.  I may have been heard to use the same phrase – can I make an observation – in business too.

Do you have a secret to how to do this best and most effectively, hoping the recipient keeps an open mind?