What do you do if your non-profit professional growth is hindered by a lack of feedback and evaluation?

1 Identify your learning goals

The first step to get more feedback and evaluation is to clarify your own learning goals. What do you want to achieve in your non-profit program development role? What skills do you want to improve or learn? What challenges do you want to overcome? Write down your learning goals and share them with your supervisor and colleagues. This will help them understand your expectations and needs, and provide you with more relevant and specific feedback and evaluation.

2 Ask for feedback and evaluation

Don't wait for feedback and evaluation to come to you. Be proactive and ask for it regularly. You can request feedback and evaluation from different sources, such as your supervisor, colleagues, mentors, partners, or beneficiaries. You can also use different methods, such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observations. The key is to ask for feedback and evaluation that is timely, constructive, and actionable. For example, you can ask for feedback and evaluation after completing a project, delivering a presentation, or facilitating a workshop. You can also ask for feedback and evaluation on specific aspects of your work, such as your communication, planning, or problem-solving skills.

3 Receive feedback and evaluation gracefully

One of the biggest barriers to getting more feedback and evaluation is how you receive it. If you react defensively, dismissively, or emotionally to feedback and evaluation, you will discourage others from giving it to you in the future. Instead, it's important to receive this input with an open mind and a positive attitude. To do so, listen attentively and respectfully to the feedback and evaluation giver; thank them for their time and effort; ask questions to clarify their points and understand their perspective; acknowledge their feedback and evaluation, even if you disagree with it; avoid arguing, blaming, or making excuses; and focus on the learning opportunities instead of the criticism.

4 Use feedback and evaluation effectively

Feedback and evaluation are only useful if you use them effectively. To make the most of it, you need to reflect, act, and follow up. Consider the main messages of the feedback and evaluation, and identify your strengths and weaknesses. Then, take action to improve your performance or skills, and consider what resources or support you need. Finally, measure your progress or results, communicate your actions or achievements to the evaluator, and solicit more feedback and evaluation to continue your learning cycle. By doing this, you can enhance your skills, increase your impact, and advance your career.