Is this what you hear when you ask for feedback?

👉 “Oh, that’s good!”
👉 “That could have been better”
👉 “That’s useless!”

Or perhaps do you end up giving feedback in a similar fashion?

Well…

What if I told you that what you generally think of as feedback, is actually an illusion?

In my opinion, the above statements are :

JUDGEMENTS disguised as FEEDBACK.

What’s the problem with judgements?

Judgements take us nowhere. Oftentimes, positive judgements act as a validation for the receiver and the other extreme is more about satisfying the ego of the critic.

On the other hand, feedback gives us direction. Towards a solution. Towards a goal.

Feedback is specific. Judgements are generalised.

Feedback aims to assist. It is actionable. Judgements do neither.

So the next time someone asks for feedback, how about saying:

” Oh, that’s good! I like XYZ about this because….”

” Because of XYZ, I think this doesn’t make sense…”

What do you think?

What is the approach you take while giving feedback?