This is a copy of a post I placed on LinkedIn.
Feedback its a Two-Way Street: The Gift You Must Be Ready to Receive
At work we often hear and read complaints about the lack of feedback. Team members claim they crave it, and we as leaders, strive to provide it. But there’s an unspoken truth: many of those asking for feedback aren’t truly prepared to receive it. They dismiss it as invalid, blame external factors, or simply aren’t open to hearing it.
I’ve come to the feeling that feedback is a two-way street. It’s not just about receiving validation for a job well done (while that’s always great to hear); it’s about hearing hard truths and trying to grow from them. If we’re serious about self-improvement, we must embrace feedback as a gift—even when it’s uncomfortable. But to do that, we need to be in the right mindset.
Why is Feedback a Gift, you ask? When someone gives us feedback, they’re offering insight into how our actions, decisions, or behavior affect others and our organization. This isn’t just information—it’s an opportunity to grow. It’s like someone handing you a tool to shape your career or improve relationships. In many cases, people take the time to provide feedback because they care about our success. They want us to succeed, not stumble.
There is a Trap of Dismissing Feedback: All too often, we hear feedback we don’t like, and our immediate reaction is to reject it. We might think, “They don’t understand,” “That’s not true,” or “I don’t do that!” This defensiveness creates a barrier to growth. When we dismiss feedback out of hand, we deny ourselves the opportunity to learn. Worse, we also send the message that we aren’t open to feedback, causing others to stop providing it altogether.
Being Ready to Receive: Being receptive to feedback requires humility, openness, and self-awareness. It means understanding that even if the feedback feels uncomfortable or misaligned with our self-perception, there is value in exploring it. Sometimes, the insights might not be about what was said but how it was delivered, pointing us to subtle behaviors or attitudes that affect others’ perceptions.
If you expect others to provide honest feedback, it’s crucial to approach it with a mindset that allows you to listen, reflect, and take action. Instead of defensively rejecting what you hear, view it as an opportunity to question your assumptions, improve, and ultimately become better at what you do.
Feedback, whether positive or negative, is an invaluable gift. But like any gift, its value depends on your readiness to receive it. Approach feedback with humility, openness, and the willingness to grow, and you’ll find it becomes one of your most powerful tools for personal and professional development. Remember, feedback isn’t just given—it’s earned by those of us who are prepared to hear it.
Just my 12-1/2cents. 🙂
© 2025, Robert Owen. All rights reserved.
