Communication skills: Taking Feedback
Feedback is an essential part of growth, and as a software engineer — I am one and that’s the perspective I will share here — it plays an even more crucial role in shaping your skills, abilities, and career trajectory — talking professional growth here! The ability to receive feedback gracefully, learn from it, and implement necessary changes can set you apart in tech and lead to greater success.
Why Feedback Is Important
Feedback is essential as it provides insight into how others perceive your work. It helps identify areas in which you need to improve and refine your approach. Without feedback, it can be challenging to gauge how well you’re doing, and you may miss opportunities to grow and learn, thinking you are doing the very best and missing out on areas where to improve.
Taking feedback from others also shows that you are open to learning and improving. It’s a demonstration of your willingness to listen, consider other perspectives, and adapt your approach. Some people will often take it as a personal affront to their self-esteem or character. Lol…it’s never meant to be personal 😊. It can help build trust and respect among your peers, and supervisors, leading to more opportunities and greater success — professional growth again!
Another key advantage of feedback is that it enables you to stay connected with the people you’re working with. It can help you build better relationships with your teammates, by giving you insights into what they need, want, and expect from you. By staying connected you can build stronger and more collaborative relationships that can lead to better outcomes for everyone — win-win!
How to Receive Feedback Gracefully
Receiving feedback can be challenging(worse when you have a big ego), especially if it’s critical or negative. However, learning to receive feedback gracefully is an essential skill(must be classified as an art) for anyone regardless of occupation. Let me elaborate on easy tips to assist you in accepting feedback in a constructive manner:
- Listen actively: When someone is giving you feedback, try to listen actively — this means paying attention to what they’re saying, asking clarifying questions, and demonstrating that you understand their perspective. Active listening can help you get the most out of feedback and show the other person that you value their input.
- Stay calm:🧘♂️ Receiving negative feedback can be emotional, but it’s important to stay calm and composed. Take a deep breath and try to stay focused on the feedback rather than getting defensive or emotional — this can be hard at first. Remember, the goal is to learn and improve, not to argue or defend your work.
- Ask for specifics: If the feedback is vague or unclear, ask for specific examples or suggestions for improvement. This can help you understand the feedback better and provide a starting point for making changes.
- Thank the person giving the feedback: Feedback takes time and effort, and it’s important to acknowledge and appreciate the person who is giving it. Thank them for taking the time to provide feedback, even if it’s difficult to hear. Infact it is recommended the best answer to feedback is “Thank you.”
- Take time to reflect: After receiving feedback, take some time to reflect on it. Consider the feedback objectively — without any emotions, and think about how you can use it to improve. This can help you approach the feedback with a growth mindset and make meaningful changes.
Making the Most of Feedback
Receiving feedback is just the first step; the real value comes from using it to improve. I recommend the following two suggestions to make the most of feedback:
- Prioritize feedback: It is important to note that not all feedback holds the same weight. The value of feedback can vary depending on various factors such as its source and the context of the feedback. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize feedback based on its potential impact and relevance to your work.
- Identify patterns: Look for patterns in feedback. Are multiple people giving you similar feedback? Is there a consistent theme or issue that’s coming up? Identifying patterns can help you identify areas you need to improve and prioritize changes.
