Feedback is a Gift: Use it Wisely

There’s a consistent piece of feedback that I’ve received throughout my life: slow down. The only time I was encouraged to go faster was back in the day on the track. Even then, I was sometimes told, “Don’t go out so fast, you’ll die on the last 100 meters.” 

This advice has followed me into my professional life, where I often hear that I talk a mile a minute. People have told me that it’s hard to keep up and to follow what I’m saying.

This brings us to the topic of feedback. Receiving feedback, especially about something so integral to who you are, can be challenging. Yet, it’s an invaluable gift if we use it wisely.

Opening the Gift


A word of warning, though. Not all gifts are equal, and you’ll want to avoid giving people the equivalent of a piece of coal in their Christmas stocking.

In this case, some people make the mistake of giving feedback that’s personal. For instance, instead of telling me that I talk too quickly and it’s hard to follow what I’m saying, which is something I can learn from, they might just say, “I don’t like your voice.”

When feedback touches on someone’s personality or personal traits, or when it becomes unconstructive criticism, it becomes unhelpful. It’s just going to make people feel upset.

Recognize that everyone is different and that they process information in different ways. You should also bear in mind that not everyone actually wants feedback. The last thing you should do is to give people an unwanted gift.

How I Deal with Feedback


Like most people, I sometimes struggle to take action based upon the feedback I receive. Even when you know that someone’s given you some good advice, it can be hard to take that advice to heart and to make changes.

In my case, I know that I speak too quickly, and I’m pretty sure it’s never going to change. I’ve made a conscious effort to talk slower, and I do what I can to manage and temper it, but it’s a constant struggle.

I talk fast and I move fast. That drives some people nuts, and I’m aware of that. It’s not always a positive quality, but it’s what makes me, me. Just as often as people hate it, they love it, because I get things done.

It’s All About What We Value


Different people value different things at different times, and that’s okay. In fact, it’s what makes our world the complex but interesting place that we live in.

It’s essential for us to appreciate these differences and to allow people to play to their strengths. People who think outside the box often achieve great success. So do those who don’t, albeit by going about things in a different way. Even the quietest of people, those who don’t always stand out, often achieve significant amounts of success. 

And so if there’s one thing I could leave you with, it’s that you should be thoughtful about the way you approach giving feedback, respecting individual differences and acknowledging the diverse ways that people can excel.

Oh, and as for me talking too quickly… well, I’m still working on it. But I’ll talk about that a little more in another article, so be sure to follow me for more. I’ll see you soon! 

REVOLUTIONIZING YOUR RECRUITING METHODS
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