Control vs Courage

Showing your work to the world takes courage. Spending time trying to make it perfect is a waste. It’s a waste because there is no feedback loop. The loop is scary business because it’s vulnerable. 

Trying to control the “sting” of the feedback is tempting. Leading questions are magically useless because they seek control instead of input. 

Leading Question:

I’ve been working so hard on this project and I'm almost done… you wouldn’t change anything would you?

This creator doesn’t really want input. He wants to be finished. He doesn’t want to improve anything.

Open Question:

I value what you have to say on this project. What parts would you leave alone and what parts do you think need more thinking?

The second question is more open and can generate discussion. 

If you want control more than input, smart people will leave you where they found you.