Feedback Sucks - Make It Suck Less

How do you handle tough feedback when your team or direct reports have fallen a bit short?

Even if you're not terminating a team member, what about performance evaluations?

Does your team know what behaviors are really appreciated and which ones are not?

What about a candidate selection during a competitive promotional opportunity?

Does every candidate know where they stand after the selection is over especially the ones who did not get selected?