You want to improve your technical skills in Automotive Engineering. What’s the best way to use feedback?

2 How to receive feedback

Receiving feedback can be difficult, especially if it is negative or critical, but it should be seen as an opportunity to grow and learn from others' perspectives. To receive feedback effectively, you should listen actively and attentively to the feedback giver without interrupting or arguing. Ask questions to clarify any points that are unclear or confusing and to understand the feedback giver's reasoning and expectations. It is important to thank the feedback giver for their time and input, and acknowledge their effort and intention to help you. Lastly, reflect on the feedback and decide what actions you will take to address it.

3 How to give feedback

Giving feedback can be tricky, particularly when you need to point out someone's mistakes or deficiencies. You may be concerned about hurting their feelings, harming your relationship, or causing conflict. Nonetheless, avoiding giving feedback or sugarcoating it is not the answer since this could prevent the recipient from improving or learning. To give feedback successfully, you should be precise and concrete about what the receiver did well or poorly, providing examples and evidence to back up your statements. Additionally, you should be constructive and positive, emphasizing how the recipient can enhance their work rather than what they did wrong. Moreover, feedback should be timely and pertinent, given soon after the work is done or observed and only about aspects within the receiver's control and responsibility. Lastly, you should be respectful and understanding, using a polite and friendly tone while avoiding judgmental language.

4 How to use feedback

Using feedback effectively is the most important and challenging part of the feedback process. You need to analyze the feedback you received, evaluate its validity and usefulness, and then make changes or improvements based on it. Additionally, you should compare the feedback with your own self-assessment and goals to identify any gaps or discrepancies. You should also prioritize the feedback based on its importance and urgency, create a plan with a timeline for addressing it, and track your outcomes. Moreover, you should request more feedback and repeat the cycle in order to celebrate successes and learn from failures.

5 How to improve your feedback skills

Feedback skills are not innate or fixed, but rather learned and developed through practice and experience. To improve your feedback skills, you should seek feedback regularly from a variety of sources, such as supervisors, colleagues, clients, or instructors. Additionally, give feedback generously and respectfully to anyone who might benefit from it. Participating in feedback training and coaching is also beneficial, as you can learn from experts and role models in your field. Lastly, experiment with different feedback methods and tools, like surveys, ratings, comments, or videos.

6 How to overcome feedback challenges

Feedback challenges are the obstacles or difficulties that might prevent you from receiving, giving, or using feedback effectively. Common examples include feedback anxiety, overload, inconsistency, and resistance. To overcome these challenges, it is important to recognize and acknowledge your emotions and reactions to feedback and manage them constructively. Additionally, you should filter and organize your feedback to focus on the most important and relevant pieces. It is also beneficial to seek multiple sources of feedback and look for patterns and trends. Finally, commit to your feedback actions and goals, while seeking support from others.

7 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?