How do you feel about feedback?
Learning to embrace the negative
I remember the first time I took part in a 360 feedback process. When the report dropped into my inbox, my heart sank. I dreaded opening it up.
I couldn’t tell you any of the nice things people said now but, years later, I do remember the one negative comment.
You know why that negative comment stuck with me? Well, partly because our brains are hardwired to pay more attention to negative things than positive ones.
But also because they had a point! It resonated with me. So I tried very hard to change that behaviour, and in the end it made me a better leader.
No enjoys receiving negative feedback. But I try and embrace it. I actively seek it out because, even though I still dread it, I can see how essential it is to making sure I develop and improve.
Identifying something you could do differently doesn’t mean you’re doing badly! It just means you could do better. And who wouldn’t want to be better?
Allowing ourselves to grow means that we continue to be challenged and engaged in our work, which is essential for our well-being.
If you’re uncomfortable with feedback, challenge yourself to seek it out. Start with people you trust, asking them how they thought that meeting went or asking them what they think about the proposal you’re working on. Focus on the useful insights you gain, and the improved results when you implement them.
Allowing ourselves to grow means that we continue to be challenged and engaged in our work, which is essential for our well-being.
Personally, I’m still working on it. But I recognise that it’s short term pain for long term gain.