The Power of Learning from Feedback
Jeremy LEE
CEO | Certified Leadership Trainer | Business Acumen Facilitator | Contingency Leadership Coach | Chartered Accountant | Served over 500 Organizations
There are only two types of people those who can appreciate feedback and those unable to handle them. So which are you?
Before you answer that, let us understand what feedback is and its characteristics.
Feedback occurs under two distinct situations; when someone reveals to you how they perceive (their feelings and thoughts) you, this refers to their attitude. Likewise, feedback also occurs when a person points out his or her observations of your behaviour. In both situations, the feedback given will be their thoughts, feelings and observations on you.
The first characteristic of feedback is its neutrality to the recipient. It is what the person who gave it perceives or observes about you. Similarly, feedback does not have the power to hurt or benefit a person. Ultimately, it is the recipient's perception that determines the feedback outcome as a compliment or a criticism.?Hence the giver's feedback has no power to control; it is up to the recipient.
领英推荐
Next, the feedback can be genuine or false. The feedback is false when said out of spite or deceit. On the other hand, when the feedback provided is genuine, it reveals things you are unaware of or confirms what you are already aware of. Hence, feedback, when given with no ill-intention, is highly beneficial to oneself. When we take this type of feedback as a reality check and act on it, we can improve ourselves.
Learning to accept feedback can reveal a lot about one's character. People who welcome feedback are usually more self-assured and have greater emotional control. It shows a person who is open and constantly seeking to improve his weakness and enhance his strength without being defensive or uncomfortable.
Additionally, learning to accept feedback gracefully will allow for greater trust and honesty to prevail, as others will be more willing to share their thoughts and feelings about you.?Their inner thoughts, feelings and observations are communicated without evasiveness or censorship. This type of openness significantly strengthens any relationship and improves communication, leading to greater effectiveness and productivity.
So learn to accept feedback, make it a process of self-evaluation and improvement.