8 Comments
Feb 22Liked by Hemant Pandey

Love the quote! I also consider giving feedback is nourishing, but more like when a gardener keeps the garden tidy by cleaning the weeds so the crops can grow.

I love receiving and giving candid feedback while assuming some of your points, like Assuming good intent and checking my bias. But giving compliments for me happens at a different stage. As someone who codes and looks at many PRs daily, I know those are the places where compliments are best expressed.

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Thanks for adding Akos. Absolutely agree with you on it. I too prefer continuous candid feedback.

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+1 great quote.

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Great insights, Hemant! Your approach to feedback is not just constructive but also empathetic. The analogy of criticism being like rain, gentle enough to nourish growth without destroying roots, is spot on. Starting with a genuine compliment and focusing on improvement sets a positive tone for collaboration. Your emphasis on assuming good intent reflects a mature understanding of the human aspect in professional growth. Ending on a positive note, expressing a desire for future collaboration, is a fantastic way to motivate and encourage. Your tips are practical and applicable, making feedback a tool for collective success.

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Criticism should be in an advice tone, a caring tone. I like you'r emphasise on this, Hemant!

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I loved the rain quote :)

But personally, I don't like the sandwich method. Adam grant did a great article about it's drawbacks: https://adamgrant.substack.com/p/stop-serving-the-compliment-sandwich

I do think that when giving feedback, what should be on your mind is not if 'I was able to tell the other person what I think', but 'Will the other person change something in their behavior?'.

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Thanks for sharing Anton. Great article

Didn’t know it is called a sandwich method.

I do think criticism is important but in companies I have worked with, peer feedback plays an important role. I’ll rather give more open feedback in person but stick to sandwich method.

Maybe it is just me, but I would want the other person to grow and also not negatively impact their performance review

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+1.

The feedback that hurts doesn't create action. And if it does, it's action based on the wrong motives.

Focusing on what helps the other person, not on ranting and criticizing, creates this gentle rain that nourishes growth

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