A Recent Feedback Lesson

October 12, 2009 in Leadership with 6 Comments

group discussion thumb4476421 A Recent Feedback Lesson

As part of a workshop, fifteen people who regularly observe my work were asked to give an assessment of how I was doing.  After receiving both quantitative data and some verbatim comments on my strengths and areas of improvement, this is what I found:

It is hard to get good feedback.  The default position in our cultures is: fear.  Fear of honest feedback and probably even more fear of giving it.  Fear of retribution.  Fear of hurting someone’s feelings.  Face it; authorities didn’t used to ask for feedback.  Parents didn’t want to hear it.  Siblings sure as heck didn’t.  Teachers hardly did.  There just aren’t a lot of people who model seeking and giving constructive feedback.  So, in our normal lives at work, people who could be helping us understand how to help them be more effective, and how to lead in ways that work, just don’t tell us.

pixel A Recent Feedback Lesson
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About Geoff: Hello, I'm Geoff Snyder. Thank you for allowing me to connect with you. A big part of this blog is to connect with readers like yourself, to share experiences with, and discuss each other's passions. Without leadership... what's next?

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  • http://www.completebusinessstrategies.com Chrissann Ruehle

    Good post Geoff! I agree that fear is the main culprit that hinders our ability to give and receive feedback. I think another culprit is education or training. Many people haven’t received sufficient training on how to give or receive constructive feedback. One of the most valuable learning opportunities I had in this area was through the Toastmasters program. In Toastmasters, members present on a topic and another member is assigned the responsibility of giving a mini-speech that provides valuable feedback on what the speaker did well and opportunities for development. This exercise teaches you valuable, critical listening skills and helps the speaker practice providing feedback in a professional and developmental manner. Thanks for re-sharing the post! Great information.

    Chrissann Ruehle
    Email: chrissann@CompleteBusinessStrategies.com

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  • http://www.geoffsnyder.com Geoff Snyder

    Thank you Chrissann, I appreciate your insight and the value you add to this post.

    I agree with your comment regarding education and training. Often, organizations have the best intentions when it comes to engaging with their employees and recognizing where they can help them improve, but do sometimes fall short.

    I’ve yet to attend a Toastmasters but continue to be reminded that I need to. You have just added to that.

    Thanks again.
    Geoff