By Jacob Sunkel · Founder & Lead Strategist, PeaceMaker Labs
September 9, 2026 · 4 min read
Few things are more frustrating than feedback that is mandatory but irrelevant.
It is probably worse to ask for your team's opinion and not use it than to not ask at all. At least one of those is honest. People will quickly learn if you are listening or collecting answers you already decided to ignore.
The survey goes out. The scores come back. The meeting notes say we hear you. Nothing in the week changes. Next quarter the response rate drops, and leadership calls it disengagement. It is a rational response to a question that was never real.
If you ask, close the loop with what changed. If nothing will change, do not ask. Book a 15-minute Peace Talk if the feedback ritual is running and the work is not.