Embrace Feedback and Adopt A Growth Mindset

A key component of communication is feedback. Receiving and giving effective feedback is often overlooked, and quite often, one may shy away from it because feedback can be mistaken for criticism or something personal.

However, if you embrace the feedback loop, there is much more to gain. Instead of seeing feedback as criticism, let us look at it as an opportunity to enhance performance and, in turn, create a cycle of continuous development. The benefit of adopting this perspective can help one avoid the pitfall of not reaching their potential because they missed the opportunity for improvement, which is accessible by participating in the feedback loop.

The strategy to fully embrace feedback is to understand the feedback loop and adopt a growth mindset around feedback. A feedback loop is the giving and receiving of feedback, and if done effectively, you can drastically improve your professional relationships and work performance. The feedback loop will allow one to identify their potential, point out their blind spots, and develop a growth mindset.

A growth mindset focuses on continuous improvement, always getting better, one’s potential is unlimited with a growth mindset. Additionally, a growth mindset puts you in control of how you interpret feedback.

What are the three types of feedback?

• Appreciation: recognizing and rewarding someone for great work.

• Coaching: helping someone expand their knowledge, skills, and capabilities.

• Evaluation: assessing someone against a set of standards, aligning expectations, and informing decision-making.

Giving Feedback Effectively.

Preparing your feedback: focus on providing critical information, delivery, and clear examples.

• Focus on your tone: informal, approachable, and empathetic, find solutions, create a comfortable environment.

• Explore the facts: give concrete examples; gather numerous examples, distinguish between opinions and facts, ask for feedback.

• Listen: allow for processing time, ask for the other person’s perspective, use active listening.

• Create a forward focus: frame feedback constructively, focus on future opportunities, explore how to improve.

Note:

• Balance what you say and how you provide feedback to others.

• Beat the Negativity Bias: Plan balanced feedback, be empathetic in your approach, do not shy away from negative feedback.

• Do not feel you have to make something up.

In Conclusion:

Although feedback offers many benefits, such as valuable insights into areas for growth and improvement, it can take time to process the feedback you receive and give. Take a step back, do not be rash, and take a pause to reflect before reacting to feedback or when asked to provide feedback. Do not fixate on negative or positive feedback; instead, take a balanced view—separate opinion and fact. Create a forward focus. In conclusion, informal feedback such as advice or suggestions delivered in a non-planned fashion can benefit. Practice making informal feedback in regular conversations with colleagues, and check with your supervisor to learn about more structured forms of feedback, such as 360 Degree Reviews.