Leadership Tip of The Day: Feedback

Leaders are encouragers. They are also in the business of empowerment. I've noticed that many people shy away from giving others feedback, particularly when it is negative. A staff member does something that doesn't meet expectations, an interviewee doesn't make the cut, someone does something great but does not get told , I see it happen a lot.

What feedback does is it helps people to grow. Rare are those people who are willing to take the risk of letting another person know how they could improve or to celebrate them when they have done something well. A lot of people shy away from difficult conversations or they are not sure of how to give compliments so they just avoid them all together.

Here are some quick tips on giving and receiving feedback:

RECEIVING

1. Be a gracious recipient and thank the person giving the feedback. Whether positive or negative, feedback, when done appropriately serves to help you to grow.

2. Avoid being defensive: 'Yeah but.." nothing. Be open to listening and absorb the information like a sponge. Your future will thank you for it. Defensiveness comes across as failing to own up to where you may have fell short. If you honestly feel like you have been misunderstood, demonstrate it by improving for the next time.

3. Ask for suggestions on what you could have done differently, if not already provided. This demonstrates that you are eager to act on the feedback that you are receiving.

GIVING

1. Start from the position of positive intentions. Recognizing that someone not meeting your expectations does not mean that they are bad or that they are never capable, it just means that they didn't meet your expectations this time.

2. Start with what was good and what went well. People receive feedback better when they know it is coming from a good place. Offer feedback from the position of trying to be helpful. As the recipient how they felt that they could have improved the situation.

3. Be kind with your words and helpful to those you are giving feedback. If they are open to self improvement, they will be grateful for your help.

Feedback benefits everyone. Positive feedback encourages further growth and constructive feedback encourages improvement. Be an encourager.

Be blessed,