Feedback, Appraisal, Evaluation…
That time of the year when we get advice on our personal goals, expertise and performance.
Feedback, for some, can be difficult to hear and many take it as a personal attack. But it isn’t – and can be an extremely useful business tool.
It can be used to enhance your career, and the more you seek, the more you will learn, grow and even succeed.
I have this key advice for those facing upcoming evaluation :
- Welcome feedback, positive and negative. Accept it in the spirit it is given, even though it may hurt your feelings.
- Understand that everyone has a right to his or her impressions or feelings about you as a person, as well as how you behave and how you communicate with others.
- Be open to changing if you hear something particularly meaningful that could alter your thinking on a potential career move.
- Avoid getting defensive by trying to justify your position on anything negative, as the worst thing you can do is to start arguing and end up with a damaged relationship.
Remember it is both positive and negative feedback that can increase your learning, insight, and professional competence – and put you well on the road to success.