It's become clear that two of the top things Canadian workers value most are a pleasant work environment and the opportunity for career progression. What do these things have in common? The necessity for clear and effective feedback to facilitate growth in a healthy way.
Learning how to give effective feedback and how to receive feedback with a growth mindset isn't easy, but it is essential. We're here to help so employers and employees can work happily and grow together.
Read on to learn more.
How to Give Effective Feedback
Giving effective and constructive feedback is a learned skill, and it often takes a while for people in leadership positions to get the hang of it. Professional feedback needs to be helpful, specific, and realistic. It can not sound too much like criticism or it may be too discouraging to be constructive.
Make sure you choose the right time to give feedback. It should be in private during a low-pressure time rather than in the middle of a stressful project. It should also be fairly prompt if it relates to a specific event, as delaying it can be confusing and stressful for all parties.
Speaking of specific events, it's helpful to focus on specific constructive feedback. Include examples that you can refer to and offer suggestions for how to make changes. General statements will often cause more confusion, and they may make it challenging for someone to incorporate your feedback effectively.
For feedback to truly be effective, it also has to be realistic. Make sure you're focusing on things that the receiver can actually change. If something isn't within their ability, it's unfair to expect it.
How to Receive Feedback With a Growth Mindset
So what about receiving feedback? Believe it or not, it's equally tricky. Feedback is essential when it comes to improving your skills, but it's easy to take it as a personal attack.
You need to approach feedback with a growth mindset so you can put it to good use.
This starts with simple listening. Truly focus on what the person is saying before trying to form a response. Absorb the feedback, regardless of whether or not you think it's valid, and give it time to sink in.
Keep yourself open to new ideas. The feedback you receive may surprise you, but if you keep an open mind, you may realize that it makes more sense than you previously thought. You can use that unexpected feedback to truly grow.
Take time to reflect after receiving the feedback. No one reasonable will expect you to make immediate changes. Reflect, ask questions, and choose how to move forward. Don't be too rash with your responses. Remember that feedback is meant to help you. Accept it with grace and gratitude.
Giving and Receiving Feedback Is Crucial
We can't overstate the importance of knowing how to give good feedback and how to receive feedback with a growth mindset. These tips can help you truly start to grow as the result of feedback, as well as help you give feedback that encourages that growth.
At Coursetter, we want to help Canadian leaders and teams thrive. We offer courses for managers and teams alike, and we can't wait for you to try them. See our course catalogue and start strengthening your team today. Coursetter provides online training courses for businesses, corporations, individuals, and managers in Edmonton, Calgary, Alberta, and across Canada.