But if we did, it would take a lot to speak up in a useful way. It's difficult to be a generous skeptic.
Not only do we have to be clear and cogent and actionable, but we cross
a social boundary when we speak up. We might be rejected, or scolded,
or made to feel dumb. And of course there's the risk that we'll get our
hopes up that something will improve, only to see it revert to the
status quo.
So, most of the time, we don't bother.
But when someone does care enough (about you, about the opportunity, about the work or the tool), the ball is in your court.
You can react to the feedback by taking it as an attack, deflecting
blame, pointing fingers to policy or the CEO. Then you've just told me
that you don't care enough to receive the feedback in a useful way.
Or you can pass me off to a powerless middleman, a frustrated person
who mouths the words but makes it clear that the feedback will never get
used. Another way to show that you don't care as much as I do. And if
you don't care, why should I?
One other option: you can care even more than I do. You can not only
be open to the constructive feedback, but you can savor it, chew it
over, amplify it. You can delight in the fact that someone cares enough
to speak up, and dance with their insight and contribution.
Because then, if you're lucky, it might happen again.
- Seth Godin
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