Skip to main content

Can you imagine progressing in your personal and professional lives without the insights and perspectives of experts in the field? For such individuals, growth would stagnate, opportunities for improvement would be lost, and relationships could become strained.

Constructive feedback, as highlighted in Receptive & Ready: How to Thrive on Developmental Input by Artell Smith and Betsy Hagan, is a valuable gift that, when given effectively, can transform lives.

Learn to Build a Feedback Culture in a Hybrid Teams!

The Gift of Feedback: A Growth Accelerator

Constructive feedback helps in self-awareness and improvement. Far from being a critique to fear, it’s an opportunity to refine your abilities, correct blind spots, and reach your full potential. Feedback reflects who we are and who we can become. When someone offers feedback, it often stems from a belief in your ability to grow and improve.

In their book, Smith and Hagan emphasize that feedback should energize us for action. Whether in the workplace or personal settings, receiving insights with openness and using them productively can lead to significant achievements.

How to Give Feedback the Right Way

Feedback is only as effective as the way it’s delivered. Poorly communicated feedback can harm relationships and discourage the recipient. Here are key principles from Receptive and Ready to ensure your feedback lands well:

1. Start with Intentions

Feedback must come from respect and a genuine desire to help. Begin by setting the context: why you’re offering this input and how it can benefit the recipient.

2. Balance Confirming and Developmental Feedback

Effective feedback isn’t about pointing out areas for improvement. Acknowledge successes and strengths to create a balanced conversation. This approach fosters trust and ensures that the recipient feels valued.

3. Be Specific and Actionable

Vague comments like “Do better next time” aren’t helpful. Instead, provide specific examples and actionable suggestions, such as, “I noticed you missed outlining the financials in the meeting. Let’s focus on integrating those details more clearly next time.”

4. Invite Participation

Encourage the recipient to ask questions or share their perspective. This two-way exchange helps clarify misunderstandings and fosters collaborative problem-solving.

Embrace the ‘Stop-Start-Continue’ Model

A practical tool mentioned in the book Receptive & Ready categorizes feedback into three actions:

  1. Stop: Behaviors or actions that should cease.
  2. Start: New practices to adopt for improvement.
  3. Continue: Successful strategies worth maintaining.

A Skill Worth Cultivating

Giving and receiving feedback is a skill that grows with practice. It requires emotional intelligence, active listening, and curiosity—traits that transform feedback from criticism into collaboration.

By understanding and applying the above-mentioned principles, we can create a culture of continuous improvement where everyone thrives.

Do you want to learn more about the importance of feedback? Read Receptive & Ready: How to Thrive on Developmental Input by Artell Smith and Betsy Hagan now.

Leave a Reply