Blog Joint Session Alisa Kasle-Henke & Prof. Dr. Svea Schauffler – April 29th, 2025, Sixth Week Honors Seminar
By Maximilian Gehring & Brianna Murphy
Feedback and its Relationship to Optimism
What are you not good at?
Yes—you. Think about it for a moment. It’s a jarring question, right? And yet, that’s exactly where we began this week‘s session – with a question most of us avoid asking ourselves. But Lecturer Alisa Kasle-Henke didn’t ask it to humble us. She asked it to open a door:
“I love mistakes,” she said, smiling. Wait—what?!
It sounds counterintuitive at first, but by the end of the session, her words made perfect sense. This was a seminar about feedback, mindset, and optimism – and how, when approached with the right lens, feedback becomes less about what’s wrong and more about what’s possible.
Fixed vs. Growth Mindset: Is feedback always negative?
Let’s be real: Who actually enjoys hearing what they did wrong? Whether it’s a red-ink-covered essay, a vague comment from a boss, or a sarcastic “Well done…” that doesn’t feel like praise at all – we’ve all been there. Feedback often stings because it feels personal. But here‘s the twist: it doesn‘t have to!
We present to you the WWW Method for respectful and growth-focused feedback:
This model isn‘t about calling someone out – it‘s about calling them in. Suddenly, feedback becomes a conversation – not a judgement as instead of criticizing we coach and support.
What lens are you looking through?
Your mindset shapes how you give and receive feedback. Simple phrases can shift your energy. Saying “You‘re not good at this“ shuts down the brain. Saying “You‘re not good at this yet“ lights it up with possibility. The tone changes, and so does the outcome. Feedback is a tool – not a trap.
And sometimes, it’s not even about feedback – it‘s about feedforward. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, ask: what‘s the next step?
Feedback Isn’t Universal – Culture Matters!
Feedback doesn’t sound the same in every culture. What feels “appropriate” in one place might come across as brutal in another. British politeness, Dutch directness and Japanese subtlety? All valid – just completely different.
Reminder: When offering feedback in international settings, empathy and awareness are everything. It’s not just what you say. It’s how and to whom. Giving good feedback requires empathy, timing, and cultural intelligence, especially in international settings. Check out Erin Meyer’s book “The Culture Map“ for more information!
Our key takeaways?
🌱 Feedback fuels growth and growth fuels optimism.
📣The way we speak matters: Moving from “That‘s wrong” to “Let‘s work this out!” changes everything.
❓Mindset is a choice. Are you stuck in “I can’t”, or are you ready to try “not yet”?
🌎 Culture adds layers. Feedback is never one-size-fits-all. It‘s shaped by context and connection.
————— From Communication to Cognition —————
Just as feedback is filtered through mindset and culture, so is the way we perceive the world itself. That brings us to the second part of this week’s session—led by Prof. Dr. Svea Schauffler—where we explored another hidden force behind how we think, judge, and act: bias.
The Bright Side of Bias
When was the last time you made a snap judgment? Thought someone looked unfriendly based on their outfit? Clicked on a viral post and assumed it was true just because everyone else shared it? Or even believed you’d do worse on an exam just because someone else said it was hard?
These moments might seem small, but they’re all shaped by bias.
Are we rational beings?
It’s a nice thought. But the truth is… not really. At least, not all the time. We actually have two types of thinking. One is fast, automatic, and emotional like jumping to conclusions or reacting to a sudden noise. The other is slow, logical, and thoughtful but it takes effort. Most of the time, our brains prefer the easy route and that’s where bias comes in:
A bias is simply a mental shortcut. Our brains use them all the time to help us make decisions quickly. This can be helpful—especially when we’re overwhelmed or in danger—but it can also lead us in the wrong direction.
So why does this matter?
Bias doesn’t just affect how we think—it shapes how we see other people and make decisions. Just because something feels right doesn’t mean that it is always correct. Left unchecked, biases can lead to serious problems like stereotyping, discrimination, and misinformation.
That it why we need to be aware and take notice of our own biases and thoughts. When we pause to reflect: Why did I assume that? Where did that reaction come from? We begin to take back control. We can also train ourselves to slow down and ask more questions. Seek out different perspectives. Talk to people outside our usual circles. And when we recognize a bias in action, call it out.
Wait—Optimism Is a Bias?!
Absolutely! Turns out, that hopeful feeling you have about your future? That’s a cognitive bias.
Professor Schauffler explained that optimism bias is why we underestimate risks, overestimate our chances of success, and keep going even after setbacks. Without optimism bias, we might never take the leap, try again after failing, or dream big. It gives us the courage to imagine a better future, and the motivation to work toward it.
Our key takeaways?
🏁 Biases are shortcuts.
They help us decide quickly—but can also lead to errors or unfair judgments.
👥 Everyone has them.
Our brains rely on learned patterns, often without us realizing it.
💪 Some biases help.
Optimism bias can boost mental health and motivation.
💭 We can train our thinking.
By slowing down, asking questions, and seeking other perspectives, we can outsmart our biases and make better decisions.
————— Looking back, Thinking forward —————
This session reminds us that optimism isn’t just a warm feeling. It’s something we cultivate through how we speak, how we listen, and how we think.
So the next time you receive feedback that stings or notice yourself making a quick judgment, take a moment to pause. Ask yourself: What mindset am I bringing to this? Am I shutting down, or opening up to possibility?
Though they might seem unrelated, feedback and bias are both powerful forces that shape how we grow, connect, and make sense of the world around us. When we shift our mindset and slow down our thinking, we create space for deeper learning, greater empathy, and the optimism to keep moving forward—even when things feel uncomfortable.
Growth starts with awareness and in that space—between noticing and choosing—optimism begins.
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