A great friend gives you an honest review and a five-star defense.

Two jobs, done in different rooms. A good friend tells you the truth when it is just the two of you, including the part you did not want, and then defends you completely when you are not there, which is the opposite of the common pattern of flattery in private and gossip in public. Honesty without loyalty is just criticism. Loyalty without honesty is not much use either.

Work out which half you are weaker at. If you avoid the hard sentence, say it once this week, kindly and in private. If you join in when friends get picked apart in a group, be the one who stops it instead.