Leadership Thought #312 – Encourage Honest Feedback
Leaders should never surround themselves with people who only tell them what they want to hear. Even though it’s tempting to exist in a positive feedback bubble, you need to fight this inclination and encourage independent thinking by others. If you consistently perceive yourself as the most intelligent person in the room and your opinions remain unquestioned, then there’s a problem. Sometimes, the truth hurts, but it’s better to deal with reality than ignore it. In addition, it’s been proven that a group regularly makes better decisions than any one individual.
It takes a confident and self-assured person to admit when they are wrong or don’t know the answer. It can be especially difficult when someone else points out the mistake to us. When someone triggers our defensive mechanisms, we disregard their words or react aggressively. It’s fascinating what happens to a person’s body language when they feel threatened or challenged. I’d encourage you to pay close attention when such behavior occurs within you. Defy these instinctive responses and actively listen to the other person without passing judgment. Control your emotions and thank the person for their feedback. Focus on the issue and the desired result, not just how you feel about what’s being said.
Of course, everyone needs to feel safe to be vulnerable. You must ensure your feedback circles have your best interests at heart. Some people challenge things to challenge them and have their insecurities for why they do this. Sadly, it’s much easier to criticize than create. Avoid these individuals at all costs. Misanthropes only ever end up sucking all the positive energy out of a room and fostering cynicism in others. However, nothing is more powerful than a group of good people with positive intentions focused on common goals who are willing to be honest with one another. As with most things, it all starts with the leader’s cultural tone and willingness to model the desired behavior. Encourage honest feedback!
Related articles
- How to Handle Feedback (premaseem.wordpress.com)
- 5 Vital Factors in Developing Confidence (divinetiminglifecoaching.wordpress.com)
- Three Rules for Receiving Feedback (managebetternow.com)
- Negative feedback is a motivator (pm4you.wordpress.com)
- Feedback Culture (metropoliablog.fi)
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- How to Handle Criticism: A Practical Guide (sazbean.com)
