What is your perspective on anonymous feedback (both giving and receiving)?

Our reader poll today asks: What is your perspective on anonymous feedback (both giving and receiving)?

• If you can’t put your name to it, you shouldn’t provide it. 47.7%
• It’s OK in rare instances where it’s inflammatory, but not beyond that. 17.6%
• It’s acceptable anytime. People shouldn’t have to identify who said it. 21.9%
• It should be anonymous all the time. Who provided it is irrelevant. 12.8%

Put your name to it. Two-thirds of you believe people should provide their name along with any feedback they provide (with rare exceptions for inflammatory situations). The mindset of owning your perspectives seems to be prevalent. The rest of respondents believe anonymous feedback is acceptable anytime or should actually be the default. The question on the table is why should the feedback be anonymous? Is it fear of consequences? Reprisals? Not wanting someone to think ill of us for saying unflattering things about them? If you prefer the anonymous route, question why you’re hesitant to put your name to your thoughts. Sometimes feedback recipients want to get clarification on feedback they receive but if it’s anonymous, they don’t know who to speak with. Often I’ve found anonymous feedback gets discounted or disregarded as well so anonymity may be reducing the impact of your message.

Do you agree with these poll results? Let us know in the comments below!

– Mike Figliuolo at thoughtLEADERS, LLC

Did you enjoy this post?  If so, I highly encourage you to take about 30 seconds to become a regular subscriber to this blog.  It’s free, fun, practical, and only a few emails a week (I promise!).  SIGN UP HERE to get the thoughtLEADERS blog conveniently delivered right to your inbox!

These results were originally a SmartPulse poll in SmartBrief on Leadership which tracks feedback from more than 240,000 business leaders. Get smarter on leadership and sign up for the SmartBrief on Leadership e-newsletter.