> how many would be failing due to lack of kindness versus, say, straight-forwards incompetence? Kindness and incompetence are orthogonal. You can be kind and

> how many would be failing due to lack of kindness versus, say, straight-forwards incompetence? Kindness and incompetence are orthogonal. You can be kind and still give honest, direct feedback. And your feedback will probably be received better because of your kindness.