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Positive Vs Negative Feedback
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Positive feedback is more readily and accurately perceived than negative feedback. Furthermore, while positive feedback is almost always accepted, the negative variety often meets resistance. Why? The logical answer seems to be that people want to hear good news and block out the bad. Positive feedback fits with what most people wish to hear and already believe about themselves.
Does this mean that you should avoid giving negative feedback? No!
What it means is that you need to be aware of potential resistance and learn to use negative feedback in situations where it is most likely to be accepted. Research indicates that negative feedback is most likely to be accepted when it comes from a credible source or if it is objective.
Negative feedback that is supported by hard data – numbers, specific examples, and the like - has a good chance of being accepted.