Lead Lines

Get Feedback
Managers need it too

Good leaders know how to provide feedback, but they also know how to receive it. There are a few ways managers can improve this process. In his leadership.bestmanagementarticles.com article “Want Feedback?” Kevin Eikenberry gives the following tips:
• Request feedback. In order to successfully receive it, managers must request feedback from employees and supervisors alike.
• Be grateful. “If you want more — and better — feedback, you must value it which includes — among other things — thanking the person for provided us with the input for their help,” Eikenberry writes.
• Listen. Managers should keep in mind that it is not always easy to give criticism. So reading between the lines is important when listening to feedback.
• Keep an open mind. “Some feedback comes as a surprise. It is especially important in those instances to be open to it,” Eikenberry explains.
• Avoid taking it personally. Defensiveness is a major barrier when it comes to receiving feedback.
• Put it to use. Feedback is useless if managers don’t translate some of it into their actions.
“Each of these ideas will help you get more or better feedback — and some do both!” Eikenberry concludes.