Get Fed

Everyone loves some feedback. Helps you realize where you’re at. Gives you a behind the scenes kind of idea what others are seeing in you and around you. It’s a snap of the perception that is at times someone else’s reality. It feels great to get feedback. But, for most of us, it only feels great when it’s positive.

We have to stop our aversion to negative feedback and embrace it. It is with out a doubt an irreplaceable gift that will makes us better. We have to understand whether or not our work is landing the way we intend it to.

I know, it rarely feels incredible to know you missed the mark. But, if it can uncover future short falls why not listen to it, do something with it, and grow from it? Asking someone for just negative feedback sounds counter intuitive to the work at hand, but its critical.

Ask the people closest to you to start with. Let them know the intent is to grow and that you’re farming for gaps in your performance. Most of the time we may even find it feels more like a positive then a negative. When this happens its because it comes from a place of care from the person, not malice.

Our oversized ego and positional power is the culprit at play if at any time you start to get defensive. Once that inflated ego has control, you’ll become emotionally charged. What’s even worse, that person may never give you feedback again honestly based on your defensive reaction to it. Be an active listener. Only seek to understand.

You want people to feel safe they can share with you honestly. The best thing you can do if you ever feel triggered is say thank you for the feedback. Then back away until you can come to your senses. Kindly excuse yourself from the conversation.

We cannot get enough feedback in our personal and work lives. If we let it, listen to it, and ask for it often it can even be the spring we need to hit the next level.

Hope the weekend has been great and you’ve gotten some time to yourself. Thank you for taking some of that time to read my blog.

✌🏻 Shawn