Personal Feedback

Personal feedback is simply criticism. Nothing more, nothing less. You might receive it at work from colleagues or your direct manager, in the corridors or during an evaluation meeting, which of course applies to both parties. It is not as if a performance review is solely about the employee. The employer is also put under scrutiny.

Personal feedback can also be given privately, and reviews are another form of it, often provided by customers or users. I find them valuable, though not everyone is capable of writing something coherent. "It is okay" is not particularly helpful if you are considering buying a product. When it comes to reviews, it is increasingly obvious that sellers often manipulate them. Many reviews do not even match the product, so you have to be extra vigilant.

Personal feedback. You can give it and receive it. Receiving it... Well, most of us are not too thrilled about that, because any remark is quickly taken as a personal attack, and we do not like that. Can this be avoided? I doubt it. Everyone interprets words, spoken or written, differently, and we are all wired differently. The only thing you can do, if someone feels personally attacked is to leave them be. There is little point in sharing your opinion or experience when asked if the other person only wants to hear what suits them. If someone is not willing to listen or learn, they should not ask in the first place.

"Do not take it personally" is a common refrain. Do men use this more than women? "It is not you, but..." Of course, that is just as nonsensical as any other empty phrase, because if you are discussing something personal, it is personal. The smart approach, when it comes to work, is to keep it professional. The task may have been poorly executed, but that does not mean criticism of the work is a rejection of the person. It is a shame so many still take it that way and immediately lose motivation to improve. The same goes for giving compliments, especially if you start by pointing out flaws. The message gets lost, and no progress is made.

Whatever you do or say, once it gets personal, you are in a tricky spot. That is probably why so many people hide behind others, the law, or "the company". Nice and easy. We see this behaviour everywhere, avoiding accountability for one’s words or actions, even on Steemit. It is always someone else, "Steemit", "the Team"... but if you ask who exactly, you will get no answer. Folks, I am still waiting, for years now, for a few names. If "the little Steemian" can be tracked down, surely the same should be possible for "the team" or "the company".

_{14.7.25
Used to write: taleforge (10 minute timer)
#ccc #freewrite #feedback #steemexclusive}