Is Feedback Really a Gift? Part 3 of 3

Personal Development: The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback
 Part 3 of 3 – Is Feedback Really a Gift?

I used to work with someone who irritated the heck out me every time he’d say something “helpful” to me followed by “Hey, feedback’s a gift.”

Somehow, the way he delivered the message, I didn’t feel like I’d opened a pleasant package. Maybe I was too sensitive, maybe he was too annoying, but done with the right intentions and with the best approach, feedback IS a gift!

Ask yourself:

How do I receive comments from others? Am I open-minded and receptive or do I get defensive and begin making excuses? ? Will this person – or ANY person - ever approach me again with something I need to know? Don’t I really need feedback too?

(Consider this Ultimate Blog Challenge – we’re exchanging comments about ideas and approaches that have been posted, many people are asking for feedback – it’s one HUGE giving and receiving of feedback - people NEED and WANT feedback).

A few thoughts on receiving feedback:

ASK for feedback – it’s information you want and need

Select good sources for this information – not just the people who agree with you; solicit other view-points

Be receptive and open-minded

Don’t get defensive, drop the excuse-making

Ask for specifics (remember Situation + Behavior + Impact?)

Test your understanding of what you were told – ask questions for clarification

Ask for recommendations about other ways to handle something

LISTEN

Thank the person for their time and consideration

Display a great attitude! (Isn’t this where we started?!?!)


Strong Relationships + Solid Leadership = Success for Everyone

Speaking Up

How Do You Know if Your Open Door Policy is Actually Working?

The Speaking Up study identifies many situations in which people have information that would benefit the company if this knowledge or perspective could be incorporated into decision making.

Researched and written by colleague, Lunell Haught, this study is relevant to ALD and our clients because it discusses how effectively feedback is received - one of our favorite topics!

We usually think of feedback in terms of "giving" it, but how ready are many organizations to actually have feedback go UP the organization; information that is often necessary to the real effectiveness of managers and the organization itself.

Read the study here