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What is a Critical Friend?

A critical friend can be defined as a trusted person who asks provocative questions, provides data to be examined through another lens, and offers critiques of a person’s work as a friend. A critical friend takes the time to fully understand the context of the work presented and the outcomes that the person or group is working toward. The friend is an advocate for the success of that work.

 

Costa, A. and Kallick, B.(1993) Through the Lens of a Critical Friend. Educational Leadership 51(2) 49-51


 
A ship in the harbour is safe, but that is not what ships are built for    William Shedd
 
'The Critical Friend is a powerful idea, perhaps because it contains an inherent tension. Friends bring a high degree of unconditional positive regard. Critics are, at first sight at least, conditional, negative and intolerant of failure. Perhaps the critical friend comes closest to what might be regarded as 'true friendship' - a successful marrying of unconditional support and unconditional critique.'
 
John MacBeath; Professor of Education Leadership, Cambridge University

Nothing is more dangerous than an idea when it's the only idea you have    Emile Chartier

 


 

Risk and reward travel side by side. Avoid one and the other will also pass you by Anon


The Product
criticalfriend as a concept is a boutique consultancy service. It provides for a better understanding and a greater opportunity to facilitate individual and organisational growth through external challenge.  criticalfriend is a trading division of Ledaig Hutchinson Limited.
 
Half of the failures in life arise from pulling in one's horse as it is leaping. 
Julius Hare 1795 - 1855
 
The Purpose
Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger. 
Franklin P. Jones   
 
This is why criticalfriend fills a niche, being facilitative rather than directive with the emphasis on being a friend to people and a critic of their actions.  Put simply it is about supporting improvement through empowerment.