Why you should be wary when your boss asks for feedback

September 17, 2026 — 3:00pm

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I work at an organisation that tells us almost every day how democratic and “emotionally safe” it is as a workplace. To an extent that’s true. But it’s not true at all in the case of a small group of leaders. They are not bad people, but they put a lie to the idea of working in a democracy. They are (arguably benign) dictators.

I think at least one is aware of how their authoritarian style contradicts their HR marketing, so they always bring up the regular “360 degree feedback” review and the importance of being brutally honest during this process.

But I, and many of my peers, don’t feel comfortable about giving truly honest feedback. It’s a very small organisation and none of us believe that the process is “confidential” as promised.

Should I just bite the bullet and say my piece, even though I know true honesty will lead to confrontation and possibly discipline?

Your leaders seem to be suggesting that the “360 degree feedback” regime they’ve implemented guards against excesses and injustice that inevitably come when people hold and wield power unchecked.........

© The Age