Can feedback be too direct, or too subtle?

Co-facilitating Indo-German intercultural training with Pratha Shetty is always insightful because we embody the very differences we teach.

I am deeply rooted in my #German directness. #Truthfulness is my highest personal #value, and feedback, in my view, must be clear, frank, and unfiltered. Subtlety can feel like bending the truth to me. Whether my #feedback is easy to hear or not is secondary, clarity is respect.

Pratha, on the other hand, has a more indirect, diplomatic approach. She softens critiques, preserves harmony, and ensures messages are received without resistance. I admire it, but I struggle to embody it.

When I adjust my feedback to be softer, I wonder: Am I being considerate, or am I putting on a mask? Is indirect feedback more effective, or does it dilute the truth? In #India, indirect communication nurtures relationships. In Germany, directness signals honesty. Neither is right or wrong, it’s about knowing how your message lands.

Where do you stand? Do you prefer truth with full force or truth wrapped in subtlety? Let’s discuss it!