Maximizing Growth: Seek and Embrace Feedback

Published on 18 July 2023 7 min read

Why feedback matters
How to ask for feedback
Feedback channels in the workplace
How to handle negative feedback
Turning feedback into action
Fostering a feedback culture

Growth is like navigating a maze. You're not sure which turn to take, where to speed up or slow down, and sometimes, you may feel lost. But imagine if the walls of the maze could talk. They could tell you when to turn, where to avoid, and how to reach your goal faster. That's what feedback is — your talking walls in the maze of professional growth. Seeking and embracing feedback for professional growth can streamline your journey, making it smoother and more rewarding. Let's get started on why feedback matters and how to use it to maximize growth.

Why feedback matters

Feedback is like a compass in the journey of professional growth. It points out the right direction and helps avoid detours. But why exactly does feedback matter so much? Here are three key reasons:

Feedback fuels improvement

Without feedback, it's like driving in a fog — you can't see where you're going. When you seek and embrace feedback, it gives you a clear vision. You can see your strengths, areas for improvement, and blind spots. For example, you might be a whiz at spreadsheets but struggle with public speaking. Feedback can help you realize this and work on it.

Feedback builds relationships

When you're open to feedback, it shows you're not a lone wolf; you're a team player. You value others' opinions and are willing to learn from them. This openness can build stronger relationships with your colleagues and superiors. It can also foster a sense of trust and respect in the workplace.

Feedback promotes adaptability

Change is the only constant in the professional world. Markets change, customer preferences change, technologies change. By seeking and embracing feedback, you can adapt to these changes more effectively. You get to understand what's working, what's not, and what needs to be done differently. This adaptability can make you more valuable in the workplace and boost your professional growth.

In short, feedback is not just about finding faults or pointing fingers. It's about learning, growing, and adapting. So, the next time you're navigating your professional maze, remember to seek and embrace feedback. It can be your guiding light, your secret weapon for maximizing growth.

How to ask for feedback

Now you know why feedback matters, but how do you ask for it? Here are some steps to guide you:

Step 1: Set the stage

Don't just drop a feedback request out of the blue. Set the stage first. Let the person know that you're seeking feedback for professional growth, and are open to their honest opinion. This will help them understand your intention and prepare for a constructive conversation.

Step 2: Be specific

Don't just ask for 'feedback'. Be specific about what you want feedback on. It could be a presentation you delivered, a project you completed, or even your overall performance. The more specific you are, the more useful the feedback will be.

Step 3: Ask open-ended questions

Instead of asking 'Was my presentation good?', ask 'What can I improve in my presentation skills?'. Open-ended questions encourage detailed responses and provide valuable insights for your growth.

Step 4: Listen to understand

Once you've asked for feedback, listen — really listen. Don't defend, argue or justify. Remember, the goal is not to prove you're right but to understand how you can improve. So, keep your mind open, your ego aside, and listen to understand.

Step 5: Say 'Thank You'

Whether the feedback is positive or negative, always say 'Thank You'. This shows that you appreciate the person's time and effort in providing feedback. It also encourages them to share their feedback in the future.

Remember, asking for feedback is not a sign of weakness. It's a sign of strength. It shows that you're committed to your growth and are willing to learn and improve. So, don't hesitate to ask for feedback. It's one of the key steps in seeking and embracing feedback for professional growth.

Feedback channels in the workplace

So, you're ready to seek feedback. But where should you look? There are several channels in the workplace that you can use:

1-on-1 Meetings

One-on-one meetings with your manager or supervisor are perfect opportunities for feedback. Don't wait for them to initiate the conversation. Ask them how you're doing, what you can improve, and how you can contribute better to the team.

Team Meetings

In a team meeting, you can seek feedback from your peers. Ask them how they think the team is doing, if there are areas for improvement, and what role you can play in it. Remember, feedback isn't just top-down; it can be horizontal too.

Performance Reviews

Performance reviews are formal channels for feedback. But don't just passively receive feedback. Ask questions, seek clarifications and make the most of this opportunity to learn and grow.

Surveys and Suggestion Boxes

Some workplaces have anonymous surveys or suggestion boxes. These can provide candid feedback that people might hesitate to share face-to-face. If your workplace doesn't have these, suggest it. It's a great way to foster a culture of feedback.

Self-Reflection

Finally, don't forget the most important channel — self-reflection. Sometimes, the most valuable feedback comes from within. Take time to reflect on your actions, decisions, and results, and see what lessons you can learn.

Remember, feedback isn't always served on a silver platter. Sometimes, you need to seek it out. So, don't wait for feedback to come to you. Use these channels, seek feedback, and embrace it for your professional growth.

How to handle negative feedback

Let's be real. Not all feedback will be positive. So, how do you handle negative feedback? Here are some practical steps:

Keep Your Emotions in Check

Receiving negative feedback can be tough. It's normal to feel defensive or upset. But, it's important not to let your emotions rule your response. Take a deep breath, thank the person for their feedback, and give yourself time to process it.

Listen Carefully

When you're on the receiving end of negative feedback, your first instinct might be to tune it out. Don't. Listen carefully. Try to understand the person's perspective and why they're giving you this feedback.

Ask Questions

If something isn't clear, ask questions. Seek specific examples or suggestions for improvement. Remember, the goal of feedback isn't to make you feel bad — it's to help you grow.

Reflect and Plan

After you've received and understood the feedback, take some time to reflect. What can you learn from it? How can you use it to improve? Make a plan for how you'll incorporate the feedback into your work.

Follow Up

Finally, don't let the feedback conversation end there. Follow up with the person who gave you feedback. Show them that you've taken their feedback seriously and are making efforts to improve. This not only demonstrates your commitment to growth but also encourages them to continue providing valuable feedback.

Handling negative feedback is a critical part of seeking and embracing feedback for professional growth. It might not always be easy, but with these steps, you can turn it into a powerful tool for improvement.

Turning feedback into action

So, you've received feedback. You listened, asked questions, and kept your emotions in check. But, what comes next? How do you turn that feedback into action? Here's a step-by-step guide:

Understand the Feedback

First, make sure you fully understand the feedback you've received. What are the key points? What changes are being suggested? If anything is unclear, don't hesitate to ask for clarification. It's important to know exactly what you're working with.

Set Goals

With the feedback in mind, set some clear goals for yourself. What do you want to improve or change? Be specific and realistic. Remember, seeking and embracing feedback for professional growth is about progress, not perfection.

Create a Plan

Once you have your goals, it's time to create a plan. How will you achieve your goals? What steps will you take? Who can support you in this? Write down your plan and break it into manageable tasks. This will make your goals feel more achievable and keep you motivated.

Take Action

Now comes the fun part — taking action! Start working on your plan. Remember, change doesn't happen overnight. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories along the way. You're on the path to growth, and every step matters.

Evaluate Your Progress

Finally, don't forget to evaluate your progress. Are you moving closer to your goals? Is your plan working? If not, it might be time to adjust your approach. Seeking and embracing feedback for professional growth is an ongoing process, and it's okay to tweak your plan as you go along.

Turning feedback into action is a critical part of your professional growth journey. So, take that feedback and run with it. Your future self will thank you.

Fostering a feedback culture

Creating a feedback-friendly environment is a two-way street. It’s not just about seeking and embracing feedback for personal growth, but also about helping others feel comfortable giving and receiving it. Here are some ways you can help foster a culture of feedback in your workplace:

Lead by Example

Be the change you want to see in your workplace. When you actively seek feedback and handle it gracefully, others may follow suit. Remember, actions often speak louder than words.

Give Constructive Feedback

When it’s your turn to give feedback, make sure it's constructive and helpful. Be specific, focus on the issue at hand, and provide suggestions for improvement. Be mindful of your tone and approach — feedback is meant to help, not hurt.

Encourage Open Dialogue

Create safe spaces for open dialogue. Encourage team members to voice their thoughts and ideas. This can be done in team meetings, one-on-one sessions, or through anonymous suggestion boxes. Remember, feedback is a gift, and everyone should feel comfortable giving and receiving it.

Promote Regular Feedback

Make feedback a regular part of your workplace culture. It shouldn't be something that only happens during performance reviews. Regular feedback helps everyone stay on the same page and fosters continuous growth and improvement.

Recognize and Reward

Lastly, recognize and reward those who actively participate in the feedback process. This can be as simple as a thank you, or as grand as an award. Recognition can motivate others to engage in the feedback culture you're trying to create.

In conclusion, fostering a feedback culture is an essential part of seeking and embracing feedback for professional growth. So, let's make feedback our friend and use it to help us all grow together.

If you're looking to maximize your growth by seeking and embracing feedback, we highly recommend checking out the workshop 'Staying Resilient Through Rejection' by Carlos Neto. This workshop will provide you with valuable insights and strategies on how to stay resilient, learn from rejection, and use feedback to fuel your personal and professional growth.