The premise for asking and receiving feedback needs to be a desire to grow and become better as a person. In the context of a leadership position, that means growing as a leader. The truth is, you can realize great benefit from adopting the following mindset.
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“I can and will learn from everything possible from every possible source; therefore, I will seek feedback from everyone who interacts with me, or who has an opportunity to observe or work directly with me.”
That's the case whether the person is a client, a colleague who operates at the same level, a functional superior, or a direct report. They all have perspectives on how you conduct yourself and interact with them and others. Invariably, they would have developed a level of familiarity through having observed your philosophy, values, vulnerabilities, and your desire to grow and learn. Their perspectives open the door for you to be sincere in seeking honest feedback from them. It’s such feedback that allows you to get to the heart of reality and act on it for positive change.
There can always be a time of readiness for feedback. That time is when the opportunity presents itself in either formal or informal interactions. This may be a predetermined time, when as a leader, you ask for feedback from any of the parties that can provide it. Perhaps it’s at the moment of an annual review, a questionnaire, survey, or some other mechanism that is utilized for gathering information from those parties.
Of course, there’s always the informal conversation where you as a leader, might just randomly say to someone…
What's your assessment of that last meeting?
How did I do?
As you know "I did A, B, and C" or "I said X, Y, and Z." What is your sense of how that was received?
What suggestions do you have for how I may do better?
Feedback isn’t always easy to receive, but it’s necessary. The leaders who refuse to ask or receive it underperform their potential. On the other hand, those who are willing and make themselves available to receive feedback—both formal and informal— get better, grow and succeed. They also win the trust and respect of those who work with them.
Renwick Brutus' career has spanned roles as research economist, wealth manager, entrepreneur, consultant, executive coach and author. He holds an MBA from Fordham University and has been recognized for his outstanding achievement in sales and business leadership. Today, Renwick applies his unique blend of business strategy and interpersonal skills to help individuals flourish and companies grow. He owns multiple ventures, coaches business leaders and speaks on becoming irresistible and financially invincible. Contact him by email and LinkedIn.
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