Many people are afraid of feedback because they believe that it will be negative. A closer look, however, shows that this approach makes no sense. It is nothing else but the critique that opens up new horizons to us and shows how we can improve. With the negative attitude, we will only miss the opportunity to learn from people who want to help us. Thus, try to take feedback as a positive thing, even if it does not praise you. Fastcompany.com advises to get rid of the following prejudices:
Are you afraid that others will learn something bad about you
If you are worried that feedback would help the people around you to find something you want to hide, realize that they have probably already known it for a long time. The sooner you learn it yourself, the better.
Feedback from just one person is enough
Even the GPS system has to use four different satellites in order to show the positions of objects precisely. Likewise, it is important for you to gather feedback from as many sides as possible in order to get an accurate picture.
Exceptions prove the rule
Think about the exceptions in your behavior you learn through feedback but be more attentive to trends. An exceptional evaluation from one person does not mean that everyone thinks the same.
You do not have to thank for feedback
When you get feedback, immediately thank for it and ask the person who gave you the feedback to tell you even more about his/her opinion. You will see that the people around you will soon begin to be more open in their opinions and they will communicate with you more frequently.
Feedback means a change
The fact that someone gives you a feedback does not mean a change. It is up to you to consider the feedback and prepare a plan what and how to change.
The purpose of feedback is to develop pople's disabilities
Remember that people become effective thanks to their abilities, not their disabilities. Every great leader had some disabilities but was able to make use of his/her strengths. Therefore, take the feedback as an opportunity to discover and hone your strengths.
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