You want to improve your problem-solving skills. How can you use feedback to achieve this?

1 Ask for feedback

The first step to use feedback to improve your problem-solving skills is to ask for it. You can ask for feedback from different people who are involved in or affected by your problem-solving process, such as your colleagues, your managers, your mentors, or your customers. You can ask for feedback before, during, or after you solve a problem, depending on your goals and needs. For example, you can ask for feedback before you start a project to clarify the expectations and objectives, during the project to check your progress and adjust your strategy, or after the project to evaluate your results and identify areas for improvement. When you ask for feedback, be specific about what you want to know, how you want to receive it, and when you want to get it.

2 Receive feedback

The second step to use feedback to improve your problem-solving skills is to receive it. Even though it can be difficult to accept criticism or negative feedback, it is essential to listen to it with an open mind and a positive attitude. To ensure that you are receiving feedback effectively, thank the person for their time and input, actively and attentively listen without interrupting or defending yourself, ask questions if needed to clarify or elaborate on the feedback, summarize the main points and key messages of the feedback to demonstrate that you understood it, and express your appreciation for the value of the feedback.

3 Apply feedback

The third step to use feedback to improve your problem-solving skills is to apply it. To do so, you should review the feedback and identify the most relevant and useful information for your goals. You should prioritize the feedback and decide which aspects to work on first, based on their importance and urgency. Additionally, you should create a plan of action with SMART goals for your problem-solving improvement. When implementing the plan, it's important to monitor your progress and results, as well as seek additional feedback to evaluate your improvement and identify further areas for development.

4 Give feedback

The fourth step to use feedback to improve your problem-solving skills is to give it. When giving feedback, it's important to ask for permission and choose an appropriate time and place. You should focus on the problem, not the person, and provide specific examples and evidence to back up your feedback. Make sure your language is clear and concise, and avoid being judgmental or emotional. It's also important to emphasize the strengths and opportunities, rather than the weaknesses and threats. By doing this, you can improve your communication skills, build trust and rapport, and foster collaboration and learning.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?