Friends’ review versus pro review.
It is challenging, in general terms, to give feedback to those who search for praise and not true, honest feedback. This is especially challenging when dealing with those looking to affirm confirmation bias through posturing to disguise their bias with an objective approach. Most need to be told they are great even when their potential exceeds their ability to execute. We all have the capability of being great, but few put in the work to translate their potential into a consistent reality. This delusional mindset is especially persistent in the subjectivity of entertainment where the lines between talent and who can be the most controversial are so blurred that the art is not only lost but is rarely found in the modern, unreasonably formulaic age of show business.
It is most important when giving feedback to anyone on anything — especially entertainment — that it’s understood that most individuals are not looking for objectivity. Most are not seeking to better their product. Rather, the majority are seeking confirmation of their ego while not having the empathy to recognize the unfair position that need imposes on those who genuinely want to give helpful feedback. This is typically not an issue…until it is. When it is an issue, there is unnecessary strain placed on both sides based on secret expectations that lead to a lack of quality and precision in presentation. When anyone asks for feedback — especially someone that is not a professional — they will want more of a friendly review of their work. That means it needs to be rooted in confirming what they already believe. When a person is not a novice and/or a professional hobbyist, they will be more focused on genuine feedback to improve their product outside of feelings and bias to give the consumer the absolute best product they can. Either side is about comfort level, not “better” or “less than”.
It is important to know that there is a distinction in the approach to feedback being considerate of want a person needs versus what the person giving the feedback thinks the other side needs. It is no one’s place to decide what another person needs, regardless of intent. One must learn to give feedback that is relative, not logical.
What kind of feedback works best for you?
