Pre-Feedback

You can control how you get feedback

Everyone's ideas get critiqued. And most people don't enjoy it. But that feedback is going to come; whether we want it or not. You can control how you take that feedback and what you do with it but don't put it off.  Early feedback means you can adapt your idea and make it better. Late means you can't change it (even when you wish you could). 

How to ask for feedback

It's important to be clear about your goals and values. Goals are what you want to achieve e.g. More sales. Values are how you want to behave e.g. Sustainability or Outstanding Quality. If the feedback gets you closer to your objective without compromising your values it's good. If it doesn't do this, it can be set aside. However, you can't judge whether criticism is good or bad without clear goals and values, so do that first. Likewise your team can't give good feedback unless they know the goals & values, so share it with your group before you ask for comments. 

How to approach the feedback

• How you approach the feedback session is critical to it's success. You can choose to see it as people finding fault in your work or you can see it as people inputting into your ideas. 

• Don't ask "What's wrong with my idea". Instead start the session by asking others "how could we make this project better?". This helps to reframe their comments as building on your idea (rather than breaking it down).

• Most people won't want to give you feedback if you it seems to upset you when they share it. As strange as it may sound, it helps to find a way to enjoy the criticism. 

• Try to keep the final outcome in mind. By doing this you will feel better about ideas that change your project for the better. 

• When you think 'I feel stupid for missing that', try reframing suggestions as 'the project will be so cool with that new aspect'.

• It will help you to respond in a more enthusiastic way to changes. 

Getting feedback

Recognising your own body language is a good way of preparing your brain for feedback. Check for signs that you're expecting to be attacked. Things like clenched jaw, crossed arms, tense stomach, high shoulders or holding your breath. These physical tells signal to your brain you're about to be attacked. Try to spot them and reverse them by relaxing your body. This tells your brain that you're with friends. This means it's less likely to recognise criticism as an attack.