Today’s tip is about applying a simple technique for receiving feedback that can help you use such feedback as a tool for personal growth.
For many people, receiving feedback is perceived as threatening, whether the feedback is positive or negative. This perception of threat creates a fight or flight response in our brains, resulting in irrational thoughts and behaviours, which are not useful. Yet, feedback happens all the time, both at work and at home.
Be GLAD for the feedback:
- GIVE THANKS. By saying thank you for the feedback, our brains automatically become receptive instead of defensive. It is also signals to the feedback giver that you are open to honest and direct feedback, both now and into the future.
- LISTEN actively, which is about hearing the whole message in the feedback being given. Listening actively involves appropriate body language, not interrupting and paraphrasing to confirm understanding.
- ASK questions to understand so that you can make an informed decision as to what to do with the feedback. Be careful of why questions. Instead of saying “why do you say that,” say “when you say I micro-manage, can you give me an example so that I am more aware of this in future?”
- DECIDE what to do. Once you have processed all the feedback information, you can now make an informed decision as to what to do about it. Choosing your response and action is in your locus of control.
Be GLAD to get feedback. It is one of the most important gifts you will receive on your self-development journey.
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