lesson #2—feedback is my best friend

Feedback is my best friend and, like a good friend, it wants to see me grow.

Instances of feedback used to generate some anxiety for me because they involve exposing myself and showing vulnerability — 'What will they think of what I did? What if I'm doing things wrong?' — these were some of the things I used to think before presenting my work or having a 1:1 with my superior. It's normal to feel nervous, but for me, it was crucial to understand that it's precisely in those contexts where I can grow the most.

At the same time, surrounding myself with professionals who know how to give and receive feedback from a constructive and healthy place in a safe environment allowed me to understand how powerful giving and receiving feedback is for personal growth.

This change of perspective is what's helping me the most to grow. But, how did I do it? Here are some things I keep in mind when receiving feedback.

It's assistance, not an attack

The person giving you feedback wants you to become a better professional (and person).

It comes from objectivity

It's not (or shouldn't be) personal. When we receive feedback, it's not about who we are as individuals but about identifying areas of improvement in our skills and professional behaviour.

Feedback means there's room to grow

What's better than knowing there's still so much to learn? Wouldn't it be limiting to think we've reached our full potential?

An external perspective identifies things we don't see

You might not fully agree with what they are saying, but often we are blinded by our own point of view. Others' perspectives help us identify those areas of improvement that we might not see from our own standpoint. Show openness and gratitude for the space they are giving you!

The most important thing is to take action

You've taken note of the areas for improvement, now what? Consider how you can implement them. Set achievable goals and keep track of your progress — visualizing the progress helps us stay motivated and see how we are materializing our objectives. Growth happens slowly and with effort: by improving a little bit each day, you'll get there in no time.

Having these points in mind made me go from waiting for feedback instances with nervousness to looking forward to them with eagerness and enthusiasm. There's nothing more beautiful and motivating than knowing there's still a lot to improve and room to grow.

So, let's ask for feedback!