Over the years, I’ve identified a “hack” to accelerate my personal and professional growth. When I tell people what this “hack” is, most of them don’t like it because it comes with a big slice of humble pie. But I guarantee you, it’s the quickest way to improve in all areas of your life.
Wanna know what my “hack” is? It’s feedback, and you have to ask for it the RIGHT way.
Why Feedback is Your Best Friend
Feedback. The word alone can make our hearts skip a beat. As someone who has been in the trenches of personal and business development, I can tell you firsthand that feedback is required to grow.
One of my favorite sayings is, “If it doesn’t challenge you, it likely won’t change you” because it captures the essence of what feedback can do. It challenges us, and through that challenge, it changes us for the better.
When you receive feedback, the knee-jerk reaction might be to defend yourself. It’s human nature to want to explain or justify. But the real growth comes when you stop, listen, and ask yourself, “What’s the ounce of truth here that I need to learn from?” This is not about losing your voice in the process, it’s about enhancing your actions and decisions based on observations from people we trust.
How to Ask for Feedback Effectively
Most people won’t offer feedback unless they are asked. So if you’re serious about growth, you need to step up and invite it. Whether it’s at work from a colleague, a leader, or even a customer, opening up to feedback can provide you with critical insights. But remember, not everyone is comfortable giving feedback directly. That’s why anonymous surveys can be a goldmine for genuine, unfiltered insights.
If you’re up for it, send out a simple email (you can do it right after reading this article) asking for feedback on a specific area you’re looking to improve. Request honesty, be sincere, and thank the person or people who respond.
Embrace Feedback with Humility
It’s essential to approach feedback with humility. We often seek feedback hoping to hear praises, but what we need to hear for real growth might be the exact opposite. Recognize and appreciate the parts of you that are working well, but also be open to understanding where you need improvement.
When someone takes the time to give you feedback, respect their effort by listening genuinely and resisting the urge to immediately respond with excuses or explanations. Simply saying, “Thank you for that,” can go a long way. You don’t have to accept every piece of feedback as truth, but consider each one carefully and decide what’s useful for you.
Turning Feedback into Action
Feedback is useless unless you do something with it. Decide how you’ll make changes based on the feedback that aligns with your goals and values. It’s the quickest way to grow in all areas of your life. But like I said, you’ve got to have the courage to ask for feedback in the first place.
So consider this your nudge to draft that email or schedule that coffee chat and ask for feedback. It might just be the key to unlocking levels of growth you never imagined possible.
And if you’re searching for other ways to grow yourself and your personal brand, why not schedule a free Brand Call with us at Brand Builders Group? We’re here to help you build a stronger, more resilient
