Feedback vs. Feedforward — Here’s Why I Don’t Like Either Word to Describe Radical Candor - Kim Scott

Feedback vs. Feedforward — Here’s Why I Don’t Like Either Word to Describe Radical Candor - Kim Scott

There’s been a lot of chatter lately about feedback vs. feedforward. Words matter. I don’t love the word feedback, but because it’s commonly used to show people what to do more of and what to do less of, I use it often.

Does “bad feedback” mean criticism, or does it mean criticism that is badly delivered?

Does “good feedback” mean praise, or praise that is well delivered, or criticism that is well delivered?

Who the hell knows??! Because it’s unknowable. Sloppy language.

I like the term feedforward even less because it pretends that we don’t have to understand past mistakes in order to avoid them in the future. It pretends that we can avoid necessary but uncomfortable conversations.

Feedback vs. feedforward — both of these words are well-intentioned euphemisms. That is my main problem with them — they tend toward either Ruinous Empathy or Manipulative Insincerity.

https://kimmalonescott.medium.com/feedback-vs-feedforward-heres-why-i-don-t-like-either-word-to-describe-radical-candor-95fe1137baa8

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