Ask for Sanity Checks, Not Feedback
"I need sanity checks" is better than "tell me what you think." It gives permission to be critical while showing you want specific input.
Ask for Sanity Checks, Not Feedback
The insight: "I need sanity checks" is a better way to frame feedback requests than "tell me what you think." It gives people permission to be critical and shows you're looking for specific input.
Why this works:
- •"Tell me what you think" is too open-ended
- •"Sanity check" implies you're looking for blind spots
- •It positions you as confident but not arrogant
- •It makes criticism feel helpful rather than antagonistic
Compare these requests:
- •❌ "What do you think about this?"
- •❌ "Any thoughts?"
- •✅ "Can you sanity check this approach?"
- •✅ "I need a gut check—does this make sense?"
- •✅ "Help me sanity check this before I send it out"
The psychology: People want to be helpful. "Sanity check" frames their criticism as helpful rather than mean.