How Leaders Can Get Honest, Productive Feedback

According to research on effective learning, to improve performance, people need three things:

• A clear goal

• A genuine desire to achieve that goal

• Feedback that indicates what they are doing well and what they are not doing well

Unfortunately, the feedback many leaders receive is not helpful. It’s often infrequent, vague, or unrelated to specific behaviors.

If you want to get feedback to improve your leadership, there are a few steps you can take:

- Build and maintain a psychologically safe environment.

- Ask for feedback skillfully.

- Request both positive and negative data.

- When receiving feedback, give your full attention and listen carefully.

- Don’t debate or defend.

- Own your reactions.

- Demonstrate gratitude.

- Reflect and evaluate.

- Make a plan and take action.

To read the full HBR article, please click here.