Even if you already have tons of experience and feel you don't have much more to learn, feedback is an essential tool for growth and improvement. Without feedback, you are not really challenged to get out of your comfort zone. And that is precisely the key to growth and change. Here are some tips for using feedback effectively so that it helps you become stronger.
No one jumps out of bed in the morning thinking, "Hooray, a new day. I hope I get a lot of feedback today !"
Receiving feedback is simply difficult for several reasons.
Fear of criticism and judgment from others plays a big role. Feedback creates uncertainty and doubt, making people wonder if they are good enough. We feel our self-esteem and self-worth are compromised. This usually causes us to prefer to avoid conflicts and uncomfortable conversations that can arise from feedback. Or that we open our umbrella and shift responsibility to others.
Dealing with feedback
Even worse, feedback can also trigger emotional reactions: we counterattack, become angry or defensive. Say you're in an important meeting and you've just given a presentation you worked hard and long on. After the presentation, your manager points out some errors in the slides. You may feel irritated or disappointed because they focus only on the negative.
In addition, sometimes feedback is just too vague, unclear or not constructive. Result: confusion or frustration on the part of the recipient. People can also struggle with the ability to look at themselves objectively and recognize their own faults.
So how can we better handle feedback? Here are some tips.
1. Be open to other perspectives
The first and most important aspect of feedback is a willingness to listen to different perspectives. This means being open to the opinions of others, whether positive or critical.
2. Don't take it personally
Feedback is about your functioning and professional performance, not your personality. It is essential to make this distinction and not take feedback personally.
3. Ask targeted questions
If feedback is not completely clear, ask pointed questions to gain more insight and better understand why someone is saying it. Ask for specific examples or further explanation to better understand where the feedback is coming from.
4. Acknowledge the feedback
Whether the feedback is positive or indicates where improvement is needed, acknowledge the efforts of the person who provided the feedback. Thank them for their time and effort.
5. Use feedback as a lever for growth
Feedback provides valuable insights that you can use to improve your skills. Set goals based on the feedback and develop an action plan for growth and improvement.
6. Show commitment
If you take steps based on the feedback, show it. It shows your commitment and reinforces the trust of your team and stakeholders.
7. Encourage giving and receiving feedback
It is important to encourage open communication and feedback within the organization. Encourage your team to give and ask for feedback. Also keep in mind the 70/30 ratio. 70% positive feedback and 30% negative feedback.