On Feedback

Feedback challenges are even more pronounced these days due to three factorsCOVIDamp160 An increasingly sensitive workforce emerging from a year of COVID19driven challenges with heightened emotions and changed mindsetsDEIamp160 Aamp160concern that criticism may be taken as a form of insensitivity or discrimination as companies rightly focus on ensuring Diversity Inclusion and EqualityPolarizationamp160 Aamp160polarized social and political environmentThe Six Steps to Giving Better FeedbackBest practices suggest that there are six approaches that can help people give and accept feedback in ways that recognize these and other realities1amp160Focus on how the task or the process could have been improved rather than criticize the personamp160By focusing on how an assignment could be done better the emphasis is on the product and not the person2amp160Compare the shortfalls to a higher standard that might have been met on another project or another timeamp160By recalling assignments or times where the individual or team did a great job one reenforces to the person or team that they are capable of having done better The emphasis is on what was less than ideal on this occasion versus rather than believing the individual or team is incapable of doing a good job3 Make yourself sensitive and aware of extenuating circumstancesamp160We all have bad days and many times these are a result of something else distracting us or worrying us in our lives It may be illness family issues or other challenges By empathizing with an individual via wondering if there is a reason quality has slipped indicates both concern and humanity4 Provide input as specific as possible as to what could be done betteramp160Pointing out what went wrong or was less than optimal is only one half of feedback The more important half is showing or teaching or guiding on how one can improve Identify either steps or training or changes that need to be made5 Identify the next opportunity or project for a doover or try another takeamp160By showing both how one can improve and then identifying an upcoming opportunity to put the feedback to work concentrates the mind and channels emotions to action and the possibility of correcting the shortfall6 Provide personal help and perspectiveamp160If feedback is provided in the context of what others have struggled with over the years or what you may have learned and improved it lets people know that mistakes messupsamp160and other shortfalls are par for the course in career growth By also asking how you can help reenforces that you are on the person39s side and are committed to try to make them improveThe Importance of Holding Ourselves Accountable to Getting FeedbackIf we do not get continuous feedback we begin to lose our edge and slowly wither into mediocrityBut for a variety of reasons including those discussed earlier COVID DEI and polarization but also because we may be too senior or too powerful and therefore either believe we do not need it or people are afraid to offer it to us Many of us may not get feedback unless we actively solicit listen and are sensitive to nuances and signalsWe should all be concerned if we do not get feedback of some sort because it may mean we a don39t really matter b are being put out to pasture c are considered too difficult or prickly to deal with or d have a reputation as bullies who punish anyone pointing out faultsThree Ways of Ensuring One Is Getting FeedbackScan for signalsamp160People are constantly providing feedback even if they are not vocalizing it In some instances you may gauge it in numerical signals from how well your writing is read reacted to or shared or whether you are invited to key meetings Other times it is to watch facial and body language You learn a lot by reading a room or a Zoom galleryAsk for feedback on a regular basisamp160One can do this with three simple questions which by the way they are framed ensure people are comfortable helping you since they are positive in toneWhat worked wellIfwhen I do this next time what could be betterWho do you think does what I need to do well and where can I learn moreEnd of day or week selfreviewamp160Most people know in their gut what worked or went well and what did not Many successful individuals end the day or week with some variation of a quick reviewThe Workamp160What went well with my work product that I feel proud signing it and what could have gone betterThe Teamamp160What felt good and productive in the way I interacted with people and where could I have been better in some ways in handling my or someone else39s emotionsThe Improvementamp160What little improvement did I manage to make today or this week A new habitamp160Learning a new approachamp160Strengthening a relationshipCompound ImprovementOne improves slowly over time Some days one improves and other days there are setbacks that one learns from A practice of continuous improvement is what drives not just success for athletes but for all peopleamp160The day we stop learning we stop growing and we begin dyingBeing accountable for our own feedback and being comfortable helping others with feedback to unleash their growth is a sign of not just successful businesspeople but people who find success in every component of lifeHappiness is not necessarily where you start but how you get better and where you are goingFeedback is a key to growth and the journey forwardPhoto courtesy of Rishd TobaccowalaClick the social buttons to share this story with colleagues and friendsThe opinions expressed here are the author39s views and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillagecomMyersBizNetamp160

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Rishad Tobaccowala

Jon Miller | Cofounder Marketo, Engagio | The Gumball Machine is Broken - Rethinking B2B Marketing - By Mike Linton

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