The results
Mostly A’s — You’ve started editing. The editing is the signal, and it’s about you rather than them. You already know what they’d say, which is exactly why you’re cutting it. Tell one friend the unedited version and see how it feels.
Mostly B’s — You crowdsource every text. Ask whether the thing is uncomfortable or unsafe — different questions, and anxiety blurs them. Six opinions won’t settle it. One honest look at how he treats you will.
Mostly C’s — You defend the bare minimum. Would you be impressed if a friend described this to you? That’s the whole test and it takes four seconds. If you’re doing his PR, you already know what you found.
Mostly D’s — You tell them the truth. You keep your people close and your story accurate, so you’ll spot a pattern early. Ask them what they’ve noticed rather than what they think — noticing is much harder to argue with.