Feedback is a piece of information you get from another person that serves as a basis of improvement. It’s that simple. Whether people call it constructive criticism or constructive feedback or correction, that’s what it means.
Nobody likes to take feedback even if they later take it. Just like when you were a child, it didn’t naturally come to you to enjoy discipline. Sometimes, it’s because our ego feels wounded or trampled upon and our quick response is to either defend ourselves or take offence. It’s really not that serious only if we learn how to take feedback well.
Were you hurt or really angry the last time someone gave you feedback?
I am here to help you, you don’t have to be angry at all, you are coming back with a bang!
The aim of this piece is to let you know that it’s normal to feel bad when you receive feedback and also to teach you to respond better and manage bad energy well.
Do I Need Feedback?
Yes, you do. You need feedback.
Feedback helps you improve and improvement directly implies growth. Feedback is so important in the life of any person.
Criticism is information that will help you grow. — Hendrie Weisinger
Why do you think organizations seek to get a rating or customer feedback on their product?
It’s because the feedback teaches them how to create better products or offer better services to their end-users which in turn takes them to the bank smiling right?
Nobody will ever get to a place where they don’t need feedback except if they deliberately shut every door to the feedback. Whatever you are doing now, feedback can actually help you do better at it.
If you are learning a skill from someone who is an expert, when the person gives you feedback, you might not be happy with yourself because you really want to do well but when you take the feedback you become better and happier.
Who Can I Take Feedback From?
I am writing this with so much energy because it seems to me like the most important part of this post.
You can’t take feedback from everybody. No, you can’t!
This is the major reason people feel so hurt, angry, wounded and depressed.
You have the executive right to receive the feedback you want and reject the feedback that does not align with you. Yes, you can.
“He has a right to criticize who has a heart to help.” — Abraham Lincoln
Dear friend, if you know you don’t want to feel inferior, stupid and reduce your self-esteem, choose the people you take feedback from.
Imagine a man who is properly dressed and looks really good and had a mentally retarded person telling him that he doesn’t look good. His response will be to ignore the feedback because this person doesn’t even know the metric to give feedback on.
Only take feedback from credible people, by this I mean:
1. People who have your best interest at heart,
2. People who really want to see you improve,
3. People who are sound enough in the field they are proffering feedback,
4. People who you are accountable to,
5. People who also let you know when you are doing well.
How To Respond To Feedback?
Your direct response to feedback should be logical over being emotional.
Most times, we place our emotions over our reasoning and we shouldn’t do that when it comes to taking feedback. Taking feedback from credible people can make this easier for you.
When someone gives you feedback, don’t try to explain it away, thank them for it and ask them on how you can do better.
When you are all by yourself, think through all they said, talk to other credible people about it to have a strong point and then seek ways to improve.
That’s all. Keep doing your thing and shining your light.
Look For People To Give You Feedback
Constructive criticism is not only to be expected but sought.” — Margaret Chase Smith
Do you remember that I said you NEED feedback not that you WANT it?
If you want to grow, it is pertinent that you look for people to give you feedback. Intentionally looking for credible people to give you feedback is key, engage it. It will help you grow faster than waiting for people to give you feedback.
Some people don’t really know you and are not sure you can take it so they are quiet. Until you ask them, they will never say anything.
In conclusion,
Can you think of anything you really want to grow on or get better at?
Can you think of a credible source for feedback?
Please reach out to the person now!
I’m rooting for you to grow.
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