The Challenge – Asking for Honest Feedback

The Challenge:

Do you know who all of your stakeholders are? A stakeholder can be someone that has a vested interest your performance. Be sure to think beyond your business or career. A recent article in Inc. Magazine entitled “Minding the Kids” writes about an entrepreneur parent that makes it a habit to ask for feedback from his children on his parenting performance. For this challenge, choose any of your stakeholders and ask them to give you feedback on your performance.

This task is worth 50-points on your scorecards.

Thought Provoking Questions:

Did you find it difficult to ask for honest feedback? Why?

Were you afraid to hear the results of the feedback?

The Lesson:

It should be noted that a child may find it easier to provide candid feedback than an adult. As adults we hold back because we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings or we believe the questions may be a trap. That being said isn’t it better to hear candid feedback rather than fluff? If you are concerned about getting your feelings hurt, remind the person that you are asking for honest feedback but to be constructive in nature. Also, allow the person enough time to prepare, perhaps schedule a discussion time several days in advance. Do your best not to get defensive, remember that this is their perception of you.

The entrepreneur in the Inc. article could have chosen to read many books on parenting or time management but instead he requested feedback directly from his child so that he knows exactly what he needs to work at. Although it takes guts to ask for feedback, it is one of the best ways to understand how to get better in many facets of our lives.

“Feedback is the breakfast of champions.”- Ken Blanchard