Content Type, Developing your Skills | September 11, 2014
Roger Connors & Tom Smith, Authors, co-CEOs of Partners In Leadership
Feeling stuck in any area of life—a stalled career, tough office relationships, messy personal life? We’ve spent the last 30 years learning just how to get unstuck and move the needle on even the most stubborn issues—with consistent, well-practiced feedback.
The key: You have to ask for it. It’s really no more complicated than that.
But before you rush out and just blindly ask what others think of you (highly risky without a bit of practice by the way), consider these guidelines from our latest book, The Wisdom of Oz. These 9 proven safety tips will help you get your head right so you can go solicit, respond to, and use feedback to succeed in everything you do:
Think you are ready for a little feedback? Right out of the gate you might want to select someone you’re comfortable with, then get started by simply asking, “What feedback do you have for me?” You might need to tag it with some context; “What feedback do you have for me on how I handled myself in our sales meeting?” Got it?
Once they’ve picked themselves up off the floor, and once you’ve listened, don’t offer some long defensive response. Just graciously say, “Thanks for the feedback.” Your gratitude will signal you aren’t defensive (even if you really are) and that you are happy they took the time and overcame the risk to share.
Bottom line: Feedback is a principle that if practiced is the key to overcoming blind spots and achieving improved results in all aspects of your life—both personal and professional.
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