Constructive Feedback
Assuming we’re in the right place doing the right things, better things
things that link to the business, to purpose
to our purpose
What else do we need?
If we’re achieving purpose then that’s the top of the tree
the right part of the hierarchy, the right hierarchy
We must be hitting the spot mustn’t we?
If we know? Do we?
How do we know?
Feedback?
From whom?
Some people know instinctively, that’s their reference point
They just know. Full stop. Lucky them.
For others its a combination of instinct
Instinct with an external check
So if an external check is required, who’s the best person
to provide it?
Where do you look for your feedback?
Your Boss? Colleagues? Friends?
Your customers?
Wow! Imagine getting feedback from your customers about what matters to them.
If you can do that, you’ve cracked it.
Customers know what matters
That’s what business performance is linked to
Though that’s the area we neglect, the place we need to focus on. The target.
Customers define the purpose, pay our wages, are the source of the information
They are the place we need to be. They are the deadline. The target.
That’s the place where we are working.
Isn’t it?
The place where we need to be to engage, design, deliver, improve maintain, sustain
So where else can we get feedback from?
Out colleagues, peers, collaborators
One of the most powerful things we can learn
is how to receive feedback
even when
it’s often delivered without thought
Telling much more about the Sender
than the recipient
They don’t mean it to sound
like that
do they?
So start with the presumption
“there could be something here for me to learn”
Even if it feels uncomfortable, grates a bit
And that itself will help your growth
So first get tuned in to it
get your feedback antenna adjusted
and then listen watch and just notice
If its well delivered, you’ll get the direct message
the benefits
the lesson
the learning
the growth
What sometimes gets in the way more than the message
is the packaging
the delivery method
the way its sent can affect the way its received
You can help people who aren’t good at giving feedback
first by noticing,
asking yourself “whats the intention here?”
How might this help me?
Second, say thanks!
They didn't have to bother did they?
They thought you were important enough.
To give you some feedback
Then decide for yourself
Whats in this for me?
WIIFM
Reflect
You're getting a new take, a perception
other than yours
a wider view
another angle on a problem
Reflect, and then decide
You decide.
If you want to do anything about it
or with it
like a present
If you accept it its yours
you can own it
you can choose
And like a present, you decide to take the feedback
or not
You can choose to own it or not
If you decide not to accept it, then who owns it?
If you cant seem to get the message, the lesson
ask them what’s going well?
What could be even better?
What’s the one thing that will make the most difference?
And because you can use feedback
again
say thanks
whether you decide to use it or not
is your choice
So open up to feedback
its a nutrient if you know how to
apply it, use it, grow from it
and next time you offer some to someone else
remember
delivered well its a nutrient
to help growth and development
and its about finding out
Whats going well?
What could be even better?
Who knows eh?
So seek feedback
and make it great feedback
and give feedback
and make it rich and nourishing
Think about the packaging
as well as the message
think about the learning
the lesson
who knows what it will help
Grow?
I never could bear the smell
of
weedkiller
anyway
Can You?
