When Feedback Hurts: A Father’s Reflection on Communication and Growth

Dear Son,

Yesterday was parent-teacher meeting day at your school. Once again, thank you for giving us a reason to feel proud. Listening to the wonderful feedback from your teachers — full of kind words, meaningful stories, and thoughtful observations — was truly heartwarming. We are so grateful for all of it.

However, there was one moment that struck me deeply and left an unexpected ache in my heart. Your science teacher mentioned that you had told him, with tears welling in your eyes, that I didn’t allow you to bring your Raspberry Pi 5 to school for your science project. He explained how he’s been trying to help you find a workaround ever since. Hearing this broke me — not because of what you said, but because I realized I may have failed to see the situation through your eyes.

Let me share my perspective. When I first heard you’d be working on a team project, my immediate concern was about the balance of responsibility. At your age, contributions among team members can be uneven, and I worried you might end up doing more than your fair share — or worse, carry the burden alone. My intention was to protect you from frustration or disappointment, not to limit your potential.

But after speaking with your teacher, I understood there was a deeper misunderstanding. What I saw as guidance came across to you as restriction. What I meant as protection felt, to you, like a lack of trust.

This experience has given me two valuable lessons — lessons I believe apply not only to parenting, but also to leadership, teamwork, and communication at every level:

First, I need to give you more room to explore, to fail, to lead, and to grow. Teamwork is one of life’s most powerful teachers. It’s not just about achieving a goal — it’s about learning how to collaborate, how to manage roles and responsibilities, and how to navigate the beautiful messiness of human dynamics. These are skills that you, like all of us, must learn through real experience.

Second, feedback is not just about what we say — it’s about how we say it. I now realize that the way I expressed my concerns lacked empathy and clarity. Next time, I’ll do better: I’ll explain the ‘why’ behind my thoughts, give you the full picture, and make sure we’re truly aligned in understanding.

Thank you for being our bright, curious, and amazing son. You remind me every day that we are all students in this journey — learning from each other, growing together, and always better when we trust and support one another.

With love,
Dad
Volkan

For more letters like this:

Volkan Yorulmaz: Behind the "Fantastic Job": Progress Bars and Punching Bags

Volkan Yorulmaz: Driving Growth: Individual Development Plan and AI Integration

The Unsung Heroes: Why Operational Workers are Essential to Business Success

When we think about successful businesses, we often focus on the leaders - the CEOs, the managers, the visionaries who steer the ship. But behind every great leader, there are countless people doing the day-to-day work that keeps the business running smoothly. These people may not be in positions of power or prestige, but their contributions are just as critical to the success of the business. In fact, it could be argued that without them, the leaders would have nothing to lead. 

These unsung heroes are the operational workers - the people who handle the nitty-gritty tasks that make the business function. They may be responsible for tasks such as processing orders, managing inventory, providing customer support, or handling payroll. These tasks may not be glamorous, but they are absolutely essential to the smooth operation of the business. 

So why are these operational workers so important? Here are a few reasons:

They keep the wheels turning 
Without the operational workers, the business would grind to a halt. They are the ones who make sure that orders are fulfilled, customers are taken care of, and bills are paid on time. They keep the business running like a well-oiled machine, even when things get hectic. 
 

They are the backbone of the organization 
While leaders may set the strategy and direction for the business, it's the operational workers who execute that strategy. They are the ones who make sure that the plans are put into action and that the business is moving forward. Without them, the grand plans of the leaders would be just that - plans. 
 

They provide valuable insights 
Operational workers are often the ones who are closest to the day-to-day workings of the business. They see the challenges that arise and come up with creative solutions to solve them. They also have valuable insights into what's working well and what could be improved. By listening to and valuing the input of these workers, leaders can make better decisions and improve the overall success of the business. 
 

They are a vital part of the team 
Just because someone is not a leader doesn't mean they aren't an integral part of the team. Operational workers often work closely together and rely on each other to get things done. They form a tight-knit community and are often the ones who keep morale high and the team functioning smoothly. 

In conclusion, while leaders may get much attention and accolades, the operational workers are the unsung heroes who keep the business running. They are the backbone of the organization, providing valuable insights, keeping the wheels turning, and serving as vital members of the team. Without them, the business would be much less successful. So, the next time you think about the success of a business, remember to give credit where credit is due - to the hardworking operational workers who make it all possible.