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Don't add your 2 cents

sivers.org

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Re: Don't add your 2 cents

#21

Post by dietrichepp »

ctur wrote: post #8

What this article misses is that genuine feedback helps us grow, and being open to it is as important as being able to deliver it in a way that doesn't take something away from the recipient. Getting others' input and adapting to it (or learning when to accept but not heed it) is crucial for getting better at whatever endeavor one is engaged in. If you have a suitable level of trust and respect between you and the pe…

I thought that was the point of the article—give people only genuine feedback that helps, not hassle them with minutia. Giving unsolicited advice to people you manage can undermine the "suitable level of trust" that you would otherwise have, if you're not careful.

There is a big difference, after all, between requesting feedback from someone you respect and getting approval from a superior in a hierarchical power structure.

What the article is touching on is the tendency for some managers to give feedback on everything just because they can. Other people in the organization won't have that privilege, and giving feedback on everything reinforces the fact that the other people in the organization are subordinates and don't have that privilege.

Re: Don't add your 2 cents

#22

Post by _bpo »

JoshTriplett wrote: post #14
bmmayer1 wrote: post #6

A better way to approach this situation: "That's great! Love it! Out of curiosity, what inspired you to choose those colors and fonts?" Then, they still have ownership, but they also are given the chance to justify their choice and it starts a conversation that could lead to improvements, if necessary.

Unless you're genuinely curious, that would likely come across as passive-aggressive undermining.

Even if you are genuinely curious, such inquiries from a boss/"authority figure" can easily come off as threatening, so tread very carefully with advice like that.

Re: Don't add your 2 cents

#23

Post by antoineMoPa »

My experience with work is that everything can be slightly improved all the time. You have to stop at a certain point and I think the author has found the nicest place to stop, at least for employee happiness.

On the other side, if you have been working on something alone, I think it is a clever idea to accept the feedback of your boss just to have another perspective.

Re: Don't add your 2 cents

#24

Post by jesserayadkins2 »

bmmayer1 wrote: post #6

A better way to approach this situation: "That's great! Love it! Out of curiosity, what inspired you to choose those colors and fonts?" Then, they still have ownership, but they also are given the chance to justify their choice and it starts a conversation that could lead to improvements, if necessary.

It has good intentions, but it might make someone ask themselves if the boss thinks that their use of colors needs to be changed. If it was a good choice, then why bring it up, they might ask themselves.

Re: Don't add your 2 cents

#25

Post by fmavituna »

If your team cannot take your feedback just like taking feedback from their colleagues, cannot argue with you or veto your idea easily with a legitimate response, take everything you said as a "command" then you have failed as a manager anyway.

I assume Derek's advice makes sense for Korean culture where manager and team dynamics are different.

Re: Don't add your 2 cents

#26

Post by timv »

I think the suggested comment It’s perfect. Great work! Let’s ship it. has its own set of issues.

Firstly, while the conversation started with "I'm looking for input", the manager has suddenly moved it into a push for delivery.

If the design was ready to ship, then that won't be an issue, but if all you're looking at is a mockup, or a slapped together stylesheet, etc, then what was an attempt an encouragement has just lumped more pressure on.

Also, the comment assumes that the designer thinks it's "done". The request for input could mean "this is the direction I'm going in, does that look right". Telling them that you think it's "ready to ship" still takes ownership from them. You've just moved from being the boss who provides 2 cents on everything to the boss that wants everything to be done right now without taking the time to do it right.

Much better to say "I think it's fantastic. Great work! Is it ready to ship, or do you have more to do on it?"

Re: Don't add your 2 cents

#27

Post by hirsin »

_bpo wrote: post #22
JoshTriplett wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unless you're genuinely curious, that would likely come across as passive-aggressive undermining.

Even if you are genuinely curious, such inquiries from a boss/"authority figure" can easily come off as threatening, so tread very carefully with advice like that.

Indeed - it only takes two or three easy questions like that to become a pattern, at which point every question is code for "guess what you did wrong", which is toxic.

Re: Don't add your 2 cents

#29

Post by [deleted] »

Kluny wrote: post #16

As a follow up to this article, I need about 40 examples that illustrate the difference between manager opinions that are worth two cents, and useful manager feedback. Or about 10 years of experience, but I'm hopeful that someone will offer examples.

[deleted]

Re: Don't add your 2 cents

#30

Post by euphoria83 »

Love the suggestion. So many times have minor suggestions from managers killed the enthusiasm for a project because it feels like the manager can't think about or appreciate the bigger picture. In fact, it looks like he is only trying to own the success of the project by picking on non-important stuff.
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