Three Strategies to Turn Feedback into a Growth Opportunity 
Feedback, done well, is a huge gift. But firstly: Be clear on why you are asking for feedback, what specifically you want feedback on and how you’d like to receive it. And give people time to prepare so their feedback is considered rather than off the cuff.
These three tips will help you give and receive valuable feedback that you can all do something with!
- Seek Specificity: If feedback is vague, ask questions to clarify rather than try to second-guess the meaning. For example, “Can you share a specific example of when I did that and what the impact was?’
- Use a simple way to get balanced feedback. Three that work well are: 1. What should I stop, start and continue doing? 2. Congratulations and considerations (e.g. ‘Congratulations on exceeding your sales target this month; consider introducing an outcome-focused agenda in our project meetings to keep us on track.’ 3. ‘This is what I most value about working with you. My one piece of advice to you to be even better would be…..
- Catch people doing something right. Feedback is often associated with negativity or ‘must do this better’. Spend 15-30 minutes or so once a month to share successes, recognise people’s hard work and appreciate what you have all achieved. This has a positive impact on morale and motivation. It’s hugely powerful.
Encouraging feedback as a regular thing, a vibrant conversation rather than a tick-box appraisal brings clarity, opportunity and growth.
This week’s activity: Celebrate all the good stuff that has happened this week. Tiny steps in the right direction are all worthy of celebration. We spend way too much time worrying about what we haven’t done. Let’s change that.
P.S. One of the most uplifting things I do each week is join my mastermind group. A safe and confidential space to experiment, be challenged, try things out, share what’s on our minds, – give voice to our successes and our vulnerabilities, hold ourselves to account and ask questions. That’s exactly what you’ll get in my 90 day Lead with Confidence programme too. Click here for the details. (We start on 2 April.)