“We are not just our behavior. We are the person managing our behavior.”

~ Ken Blanchard, Ph.D.

When was the last time you asked someone to give you feedback?  The response you received may have sounded something like, “Nice job. You did well.”  You’ve been told nothing.

If you want to grow personally and professionally, you must actively seek meaningful, balanced feedback. After a meeting, presentation or conversation, solicit precise feedback with a description of a specific behavior. Ask, “What behavior did I display that conveyed confidence, credibility or knowledge?”

Avoid asking, “How did I do?”  Be specific and only ask for feedback on one item.  If you ask for feedback on your beginning and ending statements as well as delivery and the benefits you provided, you risk not hearing everything.  Or you may only concentrate on what to improve with your approach and then discount the feedback about how your delivery has improved.

Seven Feedback Wins

1. Ask for specific feedback on one item. Ask them to describe exactly what you said or did.
2. Ensure the person knows what you’re asking. If you ask someone to give you feedback on your presentation, explain exactly how you want your presentation to look and sound.
3. Be open. If you receive feedback you don’t agree with, thank the person for their feedback and move on.After you receive feedback, consider:4. How the feedback differed from your own perceptions;
   5. What you will change as a result;
   6. How you responded to the feedback; and,
   7. What will determine whether you accept and apply the feedback.

Benefits of Feedback Rather Than Fluff

• Feedback makes you aware of your strengths and identifies areas of improvement.
• Immediate feedback allows you to make changes and see timely results.
• What we personally experience is different than what reality proves. You may feel confident, but your peers observe lack of confidence.  They notice you fidget or you take too long to get to the point.
• Feedback builds relationships. Your peers have greater respect for you because of your drive to be at your best. They see you as a role model.

If you never received feedback to increase your influence, how would you know you needed to make a change?

I’d love to hear how the feedback you’ve received has changed based on the above 7 wins. Tag me on myFacebook page.