Criticism Quote by Kim Malone Scott
““In Managing at Apple, we often played a video of Steve explaining his approach to giving criticism. He captured something very important: “You need to do that in a way that does not call into question your confidence in their abilities but leaves not too much room for interpretation … and that’s a hard thing to do.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Managing at Apple, internal training video, 2015
Constructive feedback must protect the recipient’s confidence while being clear, a balance that is difficult to achieve.
In simple terms: Give clear, confidence‑preserving criticism.
Key Takeaway
Focus on clarity and respect when critiquing.
Themes
feedback
leadership
communication
confidence
Mood
thoughtful
practical
Type
professional
educational
When to use this quote
- performance reviews
- team meetings
- coaching sessions
- mentorship
Key Concepts
Psychology of criticism
organizational behavior
clarity
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you ensure feedback is both clear and supportive?
- What language signals maintain confidence?
A Different Perspective
Too much ambiguity can cause confusion; too much bluntness can hurt morale.
