The power of feedback and how to get more

You may (or may not) have seen the polls that I have run over the last two weeks. 

The topic?

For those who know me, I LOVE feedback. I love the good, the bad and we can't forget the 'meh' feedback (the one that's neither good nor bad!)

Feedback is super valuable. I love learning from it, I love sharing it, but what about feedback that's personal to you? 

I am not shy to say I love receiving feedback. It helps me know I am on the right tracks, it keeps me motivated, it has helped me be more confident and most importantly it makes me feel valued. It's also important that as a Manager, I make feedback part of my role because if feedback makes me feel like the above, it's sure going to be great for team morale! 

But what happens if you thrive off feedback (especially the good) and don't receive it?

Well, there are a few things you can do, but before I share these tips I was keen to take it a step further and understand how in business, we perceive the importance of feedback, more on an individual level.  

I recently asked you, the lovely people of LinkedIn, one simple question

Do you take the time to pass on positive feedback to your colleagues?' 

I was very pleased to read that a whopping, 98% of people who responded said 'Yes'. That's amazing! 

However, this is where it gets interesting.

52% said they regularly receive feedback from their Manager or colleagues.

11% said they NEVER receive feedback from their Manager or colleagues.

32% said it all depends on the circumstance

with 5% saying it's not in their culture.

In a recent poll by Monster.com, 45% of respondents globally said they do not feel appreciated in their jobs, and another 44% only occasionally do feel appreciated due to lack of feedback from those around them.

As humans we are all different, some of us don't require feedback to know they are doing a good job but many do, so feedback shouldn't be treated as something 'pink and fluffy'.

The term "Feedback" can often be associated with something negative "I only hear the bad when I receive feedback". This can activate the fight or flight mode in our brain when we hear the phrase " I have some feedback for you". We think worst-case scenario, the walls come up, and we can sometimes slip down the black hole of despair so by flipping this on its head can help individuals develop, it gives confidence they are on the right tracks, it can help team's bond and grow together, it motives people to do better, it engages people, and the sum of all of the above will only have a positive impact on business growth in the long term. 

So what can you do to get positive feedback.? Here are a few tips 

1. Keep a Kudos file

You might not realise it, but you very well could be receiving great feedback without it coming directly from your Manager or Team. It could be a Kudos on LinkedIn or a comment on the phone, it could be a simple 'well done' in an email from Brian or Janice from the 3rd floor. Most importantly don't be afraid to start recognising and sharing your achievements on platforms like LinkedIn or use any internal communication tools in your workplace , you will be surprised how soon they add up! 

2. Ask for it

Asking for feedback does not need to be scary. If you have submitted a fantastic piece of work you are proud of, ask for feedback. Of course you have to be prepared for an answer, good bad or indifferent but the skill is asking for feedback from the right people who will give you the best insight of your strengths and qualities (then remember to put them in your kudos file!)

3. Customer feedback

If you are lucky enough to have access to customer feedback then make time to read through each one and most importantly share it with your teams when you or someone else has been recognised. Stick it on a notice board each week/ month and celebrate each others success. Again, don't be scared to ask customers for feedback if you have nothing in place, if anything its a great way to continuously improve.

4. Pass on feedback to someone else

If you have something positive to say to someone else, then say it!! It could be your Manager, colleagues, Senior Exec. It's amazing how good it feels to pass on feedback to someone else. Try it. Seeing someone smile is special in itself and will help create a successful culture that enables everyone to celebrate each others success.

Of course, not all feedback is positive and not all people accept positive feedback and that will be the topic of my future article but for now, we find ourselves in a very challenging world . A world that's changing all the time, which can impact us both personally and professionally. So lets focus on the good, share more of the positive because right now we need more of it ?

Thanks for reading, of course, any feedback I would love to hear! Most importantly keep safe and well.

Thank you. 

The 'feedback lady' - Sam Statham