Before Breakfast Second Cup: Feedback is about the person giving it
May 10, 2026
Short reflections on how feedback often reveals more about the giver than the work. A comparison of glowing and harsh reviews to show differing tastes. Advice on which comments matter for your goals and which to politely ignore. A look at online criticism versus in-person notes and when editors or readers can genuinely reshape your work.
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Feedback Reflects The Giver
- Feedback primarily reveals the person giving it, not an absolute judgment of your work.
- Laura Vanderkam uses Tara Mohr's example: opposite Amazon reviews reflect readers' tastes, not book quality.
Use Opposite Reviews To Judge Feedback
- Use a quick exercise: read a recent favorite's five-star and one-star Amazon reviews to see how feedback varies by reader taste.
- Compare opposing reviews to identify which reader is your target and which feedback matters for your goals.
Prioritize Feedback From Your Target Market
- If many people give the same feedback and it resonates, incorporate it; otherwise thank them and move on.
- Prioritize feedback from your target market and decision makers who influence your project's outcome.
