Earlier this week, I had a feedback experience that shook me up a bit. I was halfway through my course preparation task for my boss’ <a href="http://buzzedison.co/">business coaching </a>brand when I decided to get feedback on what I had done. To be honest, I was really proud of what I had done so far and I was convinced my boss was going to like it too. Sike! I was wrong.My boss took one good look at the work and said it wasn’t good enough and that I had veered off the task. I was heartbroken, to say the least. The time I had invested, the research I thought I had done so well, all gone down the drain.

Experience Is The Best Teacher They Say

I refused to accept it. I tried to defend my work, tried to get him to see some good in what I was presenting. But he knew what he wanted in that course and I was nowhere near what was required.Eventually, I gave up my defending and listened to his corrections and suggestions. Honestly, at that moment, I lost hope for the task and started taking his feedback with a pinch of salt.

Later in the day (after I had taken a much-needed power nap to calm my boiling nerves) I sat down to analyze the feedback my boss had given me and realized he was right after all. I had veered off the work and I would have wasted more time on it if I hadn’t asked for his candid feedback. I started the task all over again, this time with a clearer mind, and when I went back for his feedback a second time, he found the work satisfactory.

The After Nap Realisation

As human beings, we never like to be in the wrong. We are more receptive to positive feedback and praise. In the world of work, however, things are not always dandy.In order to do work that matters and get results, you need to be good at accepting and giving feedback to and from your teammates, your managers, and even yourself.

We All Need To Suck It Up Sometimes

Yes, feedback is sometimes a form of criticism, but the goal is different from actual criticism.Criticism just highlights how someone or something is at fault, without giving ways it can be made better. Feedback is meant to do the exact opposite. While criticism focuses on weaknesses, feedback is meant to build strengths. Criticism deflates morale, feedback inspires. While criticism points to you as the problem, feedback finds ways to make things better.

Let’s get this clear: Feedback and criticism Are Different

I read a quote in an article on Medium that said “The value of feedback is measured at the other person’s ear, not at your mouth”. This just means that you should always be mindful of how you frame your feedback because it is meant for the receiving party, not you. And if the understanding of your feedback is muddled, it will defeat its purpose.

Giving Feedback

To give feedback that matters, you can apply the Radical Candor framework by Kim Scott. According to this framework, good feedback needs to be “care personally” but “challenge directly”. It needs to take a person’s feelings into consideration, but be straight to the point and incite the needed change. He calls this radical candor. By doing this, you can get the message across without hurting feelings or making people feel incapable.

The Radical Candor Framework

<ol><li class="ql-align-justify">Don’t act nice, be kind</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Give relevant feedback before jumping into solving the problem</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Do not use the “sandwich” feedback method</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Make your feedback concrete</li><li class="ql-align-justify">Never make it about being right or wrong</li></ol>

How To Give Feedback Like A Pro

After you’ve given feedback, keep giving it and reinforcing it. Do not believe that just because you’ve told someone once that your task is complete. Your responsibility is to make sure the other party hears and understands the feedback. You must reinforce your comments and acknowledge any adjustments they make as a result of your feedback.

Being on the receiving end is twice as uncomfortable as being the giver. As I stated earlier, no one likes being told they are wrong about something. However, you need to come to terms with the fact that no one is perfect and learning is a never-ending process.Receiving feedback is just as important as giving it, if not more. It helps you to improve and get better at what you do if you are able to accept corrections and act on them.

Receiving Feedback 

<ol><li>Acknowledge the good elements</li><li>Pay attention to recurring feedback and work on correcting them</li><li>Ask questions and seek clarity</li><li>Don’t forget to say thank you</li><li>Always follow up </li></ol>

How To Receive Feedback Like A Pro

Always remember that feedback is there to correct and improve, not to highlight mistakes. Be graceful about how you give and receive feedback and remember to apply what you receive as early as possible and follow up as often as you can, Always remember that offering feedback sometimes says something about the one taking it, but it always says something about the person giving it. First, take a look at yourself, and then give criticism.

Wrapping Up

This article is based on my most recent feedback experience and what I learnt from it!

Giving and receiving constructive feedback in any situation can be an uncomfortable experience, depending on how intense the feedback is.

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Career

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Communication

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Leadership & Management

“Suck It Up”: A Guide To Giving And Receiving Feedback Like A Pro

Did you know there’s a new “pandemic” in town? Yes, apart from COVID and any other disease you might be thinking of. Hold on, don’t panic. It’s actually not fatal, but it’s taking a toll on quite a number of people who keep failing to understand the dynamics behind this whole new infection. I’m talking about the “Entrepreneurialism” pandemic.

New “Pandemic” Alert🚨 

The truth is, a lot of people are confusing the term&nbsp;“entrepreneur”&nbsp;with&nbsp;“business owner”. The two are similar in so many aspects, but they are definitely not the same. Surprised? Well, let me break it down for you.

What’s Really Going On…

A business owner is the owner of a company that provides a product or service to its clients.From the moment they start their business, most business owners have a deep understanding of their market and know who they should sell their products to. They frequently profit from the success of their company, which is either a sole source of income or a side hustle.An entrepreneur, on the other hand, goes way beyond just owning a business.

The Not So Obvious Differences

Entrepreneurs want to disrupt the market by sweeping out the traditional dynamics of how things are thought to work.Entrepreneurs are always all in. They are passionate about their work and obsess over it. It’s a tendency; a predetermined route. It’s a personality trait, a labor of love, an unteachable zeal, a disease that can’t be cured, and an illness that can’t be caught. It’s either you have it or you don’t.Money isn’t what motivates an entrepreneur. That is what pushes businesses and business owners. But for an entrepreneur, money is merely a yardstick.&nbsp;

The Traits To Look For

The status quo is never enough for an entrepreneur. They do not become fat and content. They’re always thinking about the next thing, the next endeavor, The “Big One.” They prefer being in the thick of things. They thrive in a state of turmoil and have their fingers in various jars. That’s why it’s common to hear about them failing at a half-dozen businesses before finally succeeding.That is not the personality of business owners. They usually like focusing on one thing at a time. They are mostly not jugglers and try as much as possible to stay away from failure.

There’s More 

Determining whether or not you have “Entrepreneurialism” is just a matter of self-analysis and careful observation. Here are a few symptoms to help you out with that.

So, How Do I Know?

Entrepreneurs always want to know the answers. They are like sponges, constantly trying to learn more, improve their skillsets and find things out for themselves. They are never afraid to ask questions and won’t stop till they get the answer.

Always Asking Questions 

Entrepreneurs tend to see opportunities all around them, even in simple conversations. They try to make the most out of every situation and connect with people that they believe will be instrumental in the growth and success of their venture.

Sees Opportunity Everywhere And In Everything 

Entrepreneurs have a “don’t stop until the task is done” mindset. They try to hit their marks every time, going the extra mile to make sure they achieve their goals before they can rest.Do any of these sound like you? You’ve definitely caught the bug!

Time Is Never Enough

If you do not relate to any of these, don’t beat yourself down. Not everyone can be an entrepreneur,&nbsp;and it is perfectly okay. You don’t need to force your way into becoming one. Instead, figure out what you do best and do it better than anybody else.

Be Yourself And Achieve Greatness Your Own Way

Entrepreneurship seems to be the new craze in town…but is everyone cut out for it. This article will help you find out!

A lot of people are confusing the term "entrepreneur" with "business owner". The two are similar in so many aspects, but not the same!

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Personal Development

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Entrepreneurship

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Business

Are You Really an Entrepreneur?: What Separates Entrepreneurs From Business Owners

The term “the customer is always right” is a phrase that was pioneered by Harry Gordon Selfridge, John Wanamaker and Marshall Field, and even though it is still unclear who exactly came up with the phrase, this notion was used successfully by these men to run their businesses…then.Today, the term has been overused and misinterpreted to mean “you can accept shitty behaviour from your customers, just to get their money”

The Origin Of Things…literally

What it really means is that the customer is important and has to be treated specially- like a king . This is essential in keeping customers because they are now equipped with a very powerful weapon; social media, and can easily either boost or destroy your business in a single post.So, how do you relate to customers in a way that promotes openness and transparency without compromising the quality and experience of your service?

True Meaning

Always listen before you actEveryone likes to be heard and understood and customers love this even more. Patience in listening, even to the silliest of complaints, can go a long way to improve your customer service experience.If a customer’s complaints are outrageous, out of context or just plain rude, try to stay mute. Take deep breaths and calm down. Smile and make sure not to avoid eye contact.It is your responsibility to clear things up with the customer and leave a good impression about you, your company and its products and services.

HERE ARE STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE YOUR OVERALL CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCE

What a customer thinks may be wrong, but what they feel can never be wrong. This is what makes the customer “always right”, because you can’t say someone is wrong for feeling one thing or another. Imagine how it feels to be told how you should be feeling. Annoying right? That’s exactly how it is for customers. Instead of using negative power statements, you can start by expressing how you feel and use that as a point to correct whatever is making them feel that way. Your customers will know their feelings are being taken into consideration , but need to be changed.

Deal With What Customers Feel, Not What They Think

When a complaint is made, or a situation arises, make sure to handle it on the spot. The faster a complaint is resolved, the more confidence your customers will have in your company’s services. Look out for quick and simple solutions. If an issue cannot be resolved immediately, explain the situation to your client as clearly as possible and assure them that it will be resolved in due time and possibly give a specific time or date to calm them down. If they are still not satisfied, you might want to ask them what they think would be the ideal situation and work with that if you can.

Tackle any situation immediately

Sometimes, a customer is wrong, no matter where you look at it from. These types of customers are mostly very rude in such situations or just create a nuisance. In such situations, you need to be assertive and get your message across in a very firm but polite fashion. State the details of the situation clearly and confidently especially if what they are doing or saying are factually wrong or go against the rules of the company. Also, make it a point to back up your colleagues when they find themselves in similar situations. That way, you can count on getting their support back.

Stand firm

Dealing with problems from customers is a very stressful experience, so it is important to take time off to calm yourself afterwards. Remind yourself that not all customers are that way and cheer up, especially if you’re able to resolve the situation as expected. Remember to follow up on the customer, even if you know it might not be a pleasant experience.check up on your employees who deal with rude customers to be sure they are okay. Be sure to give them your support because even though customers are important, you have a greater responsibility to your people.

“Suck It Up”: A Guide To Giving And Receiving Feedback Like A Pro

Are You Really an Entrepreneur?: What Separates Entrepreneurs From Business Owners

Is the customer always right?: Ways to maintain solid customer relations

Phoebe Srekubea Mante