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All Feedback is Wrong, But Some is Useful
Even if your opinion turns out to be wrong, have one!
Feedback is often wrong! It is frequently someone else’s opinion. What if they are wrong … yet you continue to act as if it is true? 😲
Part of my work at my day job is writing communications for other people. I have to try and get inside their head and write as if the message is coming from them. Different audiences for these messages can also mean slightly different wording, depth and detail for each group.
After a draft, I seek feedback from a peer and review their comments. If what they have corrected makes sense, I accept it. It’s not the end of the world and as long as the message is clear. Move on!
But it can get tiresome. Was my message wrong, incorrect, unclear?
One day I asked, “Was my message wrong, or did you just add your voice to it?”
They responded with, “It was fine, I would just word it a different way.”
Now I ask for feedback differently: “If anything is wrong or unclear, please let me know.” Inferring, “Otherwise, I’m all good.”
The Problem
My peer’s feedback wasn’t the problem. They did what they were asked. The problem is me devaluing my perspective in…
