INsight/ Basic Human Need

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Manila, 19 August 2020 — How to start with feedback the right way.

Feedback is Under-used

Feedback is widely recognized as a necessary requirement to improve performance. That applies to individuals, teams, and businesses alike.

So why, then, is feedback also widely under-used?

The short answer is that many professionals, managers, and executives have yet to master how to use effective feedback skills in the workplace. There is confusion on how to do it. 

This applies to both giving feedback and asking for feedback. Some tools recommended by HR departments are not as effective as they claim to be. You need to select carefully. 

No surprise then that few hands go up when I ask who is comfortable to ask for feedback.

In #Grow3Leaders, we treat feedback as a foundational requirement that leaders should aim to excel in. That takes learning and practice. Especially the latter. 

This week, the challenge in our community is to give positive feedback to five people at work. And then to share and learn from the experience.

Why Acknowledgment Matters

Why should you practice giving positive feedback? There are several good reasons. Today I will share what I consider to be the most important one.

When you give positive feedback, you acknowledge a colleague for something she or he has done. Your short and specific acknowledgment shows that you were paying attention and noticed what she or he did.

If you want to make your acknowledgment more powerful, you can add a few words how what the other person did, made you feel. Again, being specific will help. “I think you’re awesome” is shallow.

Your act of acknowledgment is invariably appreciated, even if some people may express to be surprised or puzzled at first. For many, it is unexpected. 

From my work with leaders of various ages and backgrounds, I have come to realize first hand that being acknowledged is a basic human need. We all have that need.

Giving a positive acknowledgment makes a connection with your colleague. Heart to heart, with respect. That’s an excellent way to build or deepen a relationship. 

Diving into Feedback

Of course, there’s a lot more to learn about feedback skills. That’s why it is one of our monthly themes in #Grow3Leaders.

Among the skills to learn when you dive deeper is how to give negative feedback in a constructive way, whether or not to combine positive and negative feedback, how to ask for feedback in a way that makes it more likely to be effective, how to overcome resistance to asking feedback, how to tame your advice monster, what to do when you have little time, what feedforward is all about, and more.

If you want to start with feedback the right way and your commitment to practice is strong, check if the Grow3Leaders challenge is for you.