Tips when asking for product feedback

In the realm of product development, obtaining genuine feedback is crucial to avoid the pitfalls of the "counterfeit yes," a term coined by former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss to describe agreements that are not truly sincere. This phenomenon arises when customers, wanting to avoid conflict or disappointment, agree to ideas without genuine commitment, which can lead to misallocated resources and unsuccessful product features. To counteract this, Voss suggests using techniques such as the Rule of Three, which involves getting agreement three times in different ways, and asking questions that elicit a "no" to empower the respondent and encourage honesty. Additionally, combining qualitative feedback with quantitative data from user behavior can provide a more accurate picture of customer needs and product performance. By employing these strategies, product managers can make more informed decisions and foster trust with their customers, ultimately leading to more successful product outcomes.