The ability to look for feedback and ask for it without fear is the common trait of people who can improve year, after year, after year.
What is feedback then and why should we ask for it?
Feedback, the perspective of someone else on our actions, tells us the impact of our behaviors on others.
We act based on our values and beliefs however, what others see is just the tip of the iceberg, our behaviors or, in other words, our values applied.
Let me explain with an example.
I recently had the opportunity to work with George, a skilled entrepreneur, hard worker and always the first to enter the office. All good qualities, right? His values, however, compelled him to label his employees as lazy just because they didn’t show the dedication to the company, he expected of them. He was not aware of the impact of his behavior until one of his employees resigned and told him that, while she really appreciated his innovative approach and how much he cared for the growth of the company, his harsh comments and dismissive attitude were unbearable for her.
George decided to dig deeper and asked for feedback through a 360° tool. The results of the 360°, shocking at the beginning, helped him steer the wheel and change his behaviors. He changed his communication style, started to listen more and accepted that people have different set of values, which nobody can judge.
How can you ask for feedback than?
- Select people whom you trust they will tell you the truth
- Be specific about the area you want to receive feedback on – “have I been clear in my presentation?” is better than “how did it go?”
- Look forward instead of backward – ask “what can I do better next time?” instead of “what went wrong?”
The more you ask for feedback the better you will become. You will collect precious information about how others perceive your behaviors that will allow you to strengthen your talents and neutralize your areas of improvement. When will you start?