A pathway to collaboration
I recently led a workshop on creating a culture of feedback in a workplace setting. Understanding the significance of fostering open and honest feedback in any workplace environment unveils its profound importance. This is not only, for professional growth but also for fostering healthier relationships altogether.
The backbone to growth
Feedback given and received constructively requires us to transcend criticism and praise, entering a constructive dialogue aimed at fostering growth, enhancing performance, and strengthening relationships.
Why give feedback?
The reasons for giving feedback are manifold. It can offer a mirror for reflecting on our actions, behaviours, and contributions, providing us with insight for improvement and growth, delivered with empathy and clarity. Feedback can inspire learning and development, fuel our journey towards mastery and excellence, nurture a shared vision, purpose, and culture within organisations, and support teamwork and collaboration.
Understanding the dynamics of feedback reception
Receiving feedback can be a double-edged sword—it can be both enjoyable and daunting depending on how it’s delivered. Enjoyable feedback is characterized by attention to timing, clarity of purpose, and openness to dialogue. Conversely, receiving feedback becomes unpleasant when it’s laden with personal biases, absolutes, or anger. Lack of reciprocity, confusion about expectations, and perceived threats hinder the receptivity of feedback.
Navigating feedback with Nonviolent Communication (NVC)
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) offers a structured approach to giving and receiving feedback, fostering empathy, and promoting constructive dialogue.
Giving feedback with NVC
Giving feedback with NVC involves checking in with yourself about why you are giving it and asking if the person is open to receiving it, communicating clear observations about what happened, owning your feelings and expressing the needs that are present for you. Do you have a request? Want someone to do something – to support their learning/ development/change?
Receiving feedback with NVC
NVC recognises that it can sometimes be difficult to receive feedback as a gift; instead, we may hear criticism. To receive feedback constructively, it’s essential to stay open-minded and curious. NVC offers practices that support us in transforming our own reactivity around receiving feedback. Listening attentively, seeking clarification if needed, and avoiding conditioned responses like denial or withdrawal. When given feedback, it’s wise to consider its implications for your personal growth and development- How true and helpful is this for you? What you take from it is your choice – allow time for reflection and integration.
Cultivating feedback in any organisation and relationship
In cultivating a culture of feedback in the workplace, constructive communication is paramount. By embracing feedback as a catalyst for growth, fostering empathy and understanding, and adopting structured approaches like NVC, organisations can nurture environments conducive to learning, collaboration, and excellence. Embracing feedback for personal and professional advancement, one dialogue at a time, is an invaluable practice that can be cultivated in both workplace and home settings.
Feel free to contact me if you’re interested in further exploring the cultivation of feedback in your workplace or home.
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