Who needs feedback more, the seasoned business professional or the person new to their industry? The answer is both. Both groups require feedback and input regarding their performance. They may require it for different reasons, but feedback is essential to improving at any stage of your career. Bill Gates said, “We all need people who will give us feedback. That’s how we improve.” So whether you are an experienced professional or new to your field, you need to be open to input from others. Otherwise you can become stuck in a rut, complacent and unaware of the areas where you need to change and grow in order to improve your skills but also stay on top of trends in your industry. Here are three signs you may not be open to feedback and three things you can do about it.
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You already know everything. Even if you don’t feel this way, if that is the message you send to others, it’s a problem. Think about how you come across at work and the last time someone tried to show you how to do something, or provided their input and opinion. What was your response? “Thanks, I’ve got this.” “Yes, I’ve done this for a long time.” “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.” Maybe you already do know how to handle the task well, but if those kinds of responses are your standard regardless of the situation, you may make it hard for others to offer suggestions. Giving off this vibe, even if it’s not as extreme as the examples above, can prevent you from staying on top of current trends and having a healthy work relationship with your employees or co-workers.
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You get defensive. If you tend to overreact or brush aside when someone offers advice, this makes it difficult for them to want to talk to you another time. Ask yourself if you always find the need to explain why you did things a certain way, or shift the blame or interpret it as a personal attack. Responses such as, “This is how I’ve always done this,” “Shawn told me I should do it this way,” or even body language (crossing your arms, a tense look) can indicate a defensive attitude. This will make people less likely in the future to provide you with suggestions, including helpful ones or constructive criticism.
You aren’t appreciative. When was the last time you thanked someone, genuinely and earnestly, for giving you feedback or advice? If you tend to offer excuses or ignore feedback, you are probably skipping saying thank you and not being as open as you could be to input.
Here’s what you should do instead.
Cultivate humility. Great leaders are open to suggestions and feedback. Instead of referencing your years of experience, listen without interruption. You may be surprised and learn something new. Even if you don’t, you will show that you work well with others, and your employees or co-workers will be more willing to accept feedback from you, as well. You will learn how you are coming across and be better able to manage your direct reports because you understand where they are coming from.
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Control your emotions. Remember that feedback at work doesn’t have to do with your value as a person — it’s business, not personal. Ideally, even if it doesn’t always come across that way, it’s designed to help you become a better professional. Control your reaction to defend yourself. Resist the urge to shift the blame, and take responsibility for your actions. Even if the input is not given in the most productive manner, try to take it gracefully. Shift your perspective to be open to what they are saying in order to learn from it.
Show gratitude. Always thank the person who has given you feedback. This may not come naturally to you, but force yourself to let the person know that you appreciate the time they took to give you suggestions and that you are open to their input.
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3 Signs You May Not Be Open to Professional Feedback originally appeared on usnews.com
