Embrace Feedback

Feedback should be viewed as a unique gift. It can improve us in ways that we perhaps cannot see on our own. Since you never know exactly what you are going to receive, sometimes feedback can be quite surprising. The element of surprise can catch us off guard, so we need to use out self-awareness and self-management skills to prepare ourselves for that moment. Ask yourself, “What do I feel when I am on the spot and surprised? How do I show it? What is the appropriate response? What is my usual response? How can I better control my response? What response should I choose?” In order to receive feedback well, try the following process: 1. Consider the source of your feedback. This person probably has a relevant perspective – he or she knows you and has seen your performance and has an interest in seeing you improve. 2. As you receive the feedback, turn on your social awareness skills to listen and really hear what is being said. Ask clarifying questions and ask for examples to better understand the person’s perspective. Whether you agree with what is being said or not, thank the person for his/her willingness to share, because it takes almost as much grace to give feedback as it does to receive it. For most people, receiving the feedback is probably the hardest part of the process. 3. After receiving the feedback, use your self-management skills to decide your next steps; don’t feel pressured to rush into action. Time can help you absorb the underlying point, sort out your feelings and thoughts, and help you decide what to do about the feedback. 4. Once you decide what to do with the feedback, follow up with plans. Actually making adjustments will show the person who gave you the feedback that you value his/her comments. Whenever appropriate, take the person’s feedback seriously and try whatever he/she suggested. There may be no better way to solidify your relationship with him/her. Finding it difficult to develop the type of attitude that embrace feedback? Truth@Life can help. Call 248-396-6255 or email me at curtis.songer@gmail.com for a FREE consultation. For more info on help I can provide check out http://truthatlife.com/