Feedback isn’t forgotten

They asked for honest feedback.
They meant it. They really did.

“Give me the truth,” they said in the meeting.

The room nodded. Smiled. Said encouraging things.

And then later, in quieter conversations, the real feedback appeared – softened, filtered… or not shared at all.

Here’s what every young professional should understand early:
People hate giving negative feedback.

Even in controlled studies, people avoid it. They dilute it. They sugar-coat it. And when they do give it, it comes with tension, anxiety, and risk.

But here’s the part that matters more:
Even carefully delivered negative feedback sticks.

Long after the meeting is forgotten, people remember:

• How you made them feel
• Whether they felt judged or exposed
• Whether the feedback felt fair—or personal

So the Cappuccino Club rule is simple:

Be precise, not personal.

• Focus on behaviour, not identity
• Ask questions instead of delivering verdicts
• Offer direction, not judgement

And if you’re on the receiving end?
Don’t expect a flood of honesty. Silence often says more than words.

In the workplace, feedback isn’t just information.
It’s memory. Treat it carefully – because others will.