When given with good intentions, feedback is a handy tool for personal and team improvement. However, feedback is a highly underutilized tool in Malaysian corporate culture. It is deemed culturally insensitive to give someone ‘negative’ comments due to its directness.
In this article, we will discuss what we are to do when we receive feedback.
Feedback can be given under many conditions and circumstances. Therefore, we must practice this four simple steps to receiving feedback: Openness, Clarification, Evaluation and Action.
OPENNESS by Listening
Openness here signifies our attitude towards feedback. We must accept that feedback is beneficial to us and our development. Therefore, when feedback is provided, we should listen with openness and without presupposition.
This is not the time to accept, deny and rationalize the feedback. Instead listen to what the person is saying without judgment. Eliminate any emotional factors from the person giving the feedback.
CLARIFICATION with Question
When the person giving the feedback has completed, don’t make any statements, but ask questions if we need further clarification. Once we are sure we understand the feedback, always thank the giver for their input. A simple but sincere “Thank you” is enough. Such a response takes courage and is great for character building.
EVALUATION by Self Reflecting
Next, give yourself time to process the information provided. Use the time to evaluate your past (or next) actions, behaviours, and attitudes stated in the feedback. Simultaneously, observe how others react to us. Finally, we need to evaluate the validity of the feedback. If need be, discuss the feedback with friends or others whose opinions we respect. Ask them for their views as to the validity of the feedback. Ultimately if the feedback holds, we need to accept it. If it is not valid, then we have learnt more about what we are not.
ACTION with Purpose
Once the feedback is validated and accepted, we consciously find ways to improve ourselves and be aware of this behaviour or attitude. Additionally, we can always get support from our friends in reminding us whenever we slip back to the unwanted behaviour.
Initially, this whole process may be difficult. However, with practice and perseverance, feedback will become less painful. We will learn to appreciate the value of feedback and learn how to put it into a larger perspective to help us achieve our dreams.
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