Why We Wrote "Feedback Blindspot"

"I gave some advice for their own good, but it just seemed to shut them down." "My 1-on-1s are now filled with awkward silence." Many leaders and managers have had this experience. I was one of them.

This book is a long letter written for my past self and for all leaders who share the same struggle. It is an attempt to quietly shine a light on the very convention we never questioned: the "right way" to give feedback.

What "Evaluation" Takes Away, and What "Appreciation" Gives

The root of the problem is that many of us cannot step down from the role of "evaluator." We unconsciously measure our members' work with a ruler of "good or bad," "done or not done," and deliver the results as feedback.

But this gaze robs team members of their ability to think for themselves and their courage to take on challenges. Their focus shifts to "how can I get a good evaluation from my boss?" causing them to fear failure and choose only the safest paths.

What this book proposes is to quietly set aside that ruler of "evaluation." And in its place, to shift to a completely new form of communication: to "appreciate" with respect the hidden challenges, ingenuities, and signs of growth in a team member's work process.

The Uniquely Human Leadership for the Age of AI

In an age where AI can provide the "right answers," what is the role of a human leader? It is no longer to "teach the answer." Our true role is to **create a psychologically safe environment where each member can discover their own answers**.

This book uses a practical tool, the "Work Appreciation Portfolio," to explain, with abundant examples, how to instill a culture of "peer learning" where members appreciate each other's work.

This is not just a management book. It is a story of the restoration of humanity in the age of AI. I sincerely hope this book becomes a small catalyst for a "peer-learning revolution" in your team, where trust and gratitude circulate.