Feedback is an often overlooked tool that one needs to be truly effective in the workplace. The most successful leaders seek feedback on a consistent basis in order to enhance their performance. Requesting advice or guidance from your peers, whether or not it is offered, is a valuable technique to utilize during any phase of life. Feedback can also be utilized to facilitate important decisions based off performance exhibited and performance expected.
The work you produce will always have room for improvement and limiting yourself to personal perspective only can diminish success. Feedback is influential as it creates the pathway to better performance. A workplace without feedback can be compared to going on a voyage without a map.
Feedback is always there. You can learn and improve every time you speak to a person whether it is a vendor, employee, customer, or anyone else you interact with. Another critical reason why soliciting and entertaining input is because it demonstrates effective listening, which can be motivating to employees. This simple, yet effective tool, can not only provide necessary constructive criticism but it can also empower employees and help them realize their value and importance to the organization.
Some view feedback as being either positive or negative – each having different types but similar levels of importance. Positive feedback is crucial to build confidence and establish an environment in which employees value and support one another. Negative feedback however, which is more commonly referred to as constructive criticism is equally as, if not more beneficial than positive feedback as it helps people learn from their mistakes and fuel their ongoing development. As an employee, it is imperative that if you are not receiving regular feedback that you seek it out yourself. By taking this initiative you are not only going to improve the quality of your work but demonstrate that you are proactive and eager to learn.
If a company functions without feedback, it is functioning blindly creating an excess of directionless hard work which will more than likely result in failure.
Founder, The Anthem Group