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