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Feedback
What is the most useful feedback (either positive or negative) that has helped you progress in your career?
Sandra
12
11/24/20 at 5:51PM UTC
The most recent and best advice was to KEEP LEARNING and growing through webinars, books, articles, newsletters, etc. Keeping your mid agile with learning new things will help grow your knowledge base. It will also help keep the industry you are in or looking to enter stay fresh and relevant.
Nicole FerryPartner in a NY brand and digital firm
20
11/24/20 at 2:22PM UTC
A client I worked with had a saying -- "Feedback is a blessing." I find myself using that phrase all the time with my clients, prospects and colleagues. There is no way to improve without thoughtful feedback, but it is much easier for people not to give it. So you have to ask. If you find that you get platitudes or vague input in return, think of more specific questions to ask, and try to ask them when they are relevant and top-of-mind. E.g., after a presentation, ask your manager or peer one thing you could have done differently. One of my colleagues asks for "sandwich" feedback since she knows she can feel devastated if feedback is too negative -- one thing during a certain scenario she did well, one thing she can improve upon, and another thing she did well. You will find that once you ask, and you are open to the feedback, people will be more likely to feel comfortable giving it. It truly is a blessing -- understanding your strengths and growth areas is the fastest path for improving yourself and your career.
Kyra Bergman
13
11/24/20 at 2:55AM UTC
A supervisor once told me that I was “all business” and I needed to focus on building personal relationships with co-workers. That advice turned out to be very valuable when I was up for a promotion on another team and needed to build trust and relationships very quickly to prove I could lead. We may get so focused on the job that we forget the people around us. Take the time to ask about a co-worker’s spouse or kids. Attend a happy hour with your team (either in person or virtually). It can change how they see you and open doors you didn’t realize were closed.
Anne Matsushita
176
11/22/20 at 5:14PM UTC
Good question!
1) Figure out what you can live with. If someone does a presentation using black font but you prefer blue, is this worth making a big deal over? If you're good with the content, let it go. If you feel strongly about it though, speak up. You have to pick your battles - everything isn't worth your time and energy.
2) Not everything needs to be perfect. Sometimes "good enough" is enough to keep things moving, and can be updated later if needed.
Anonymous
11/21/20 at 3:16PM UTC
I had two great leaders that basically gave the same best advice. Not to overthink what others are thinking, believe in yourself, because you are in this position because you got yourself there. Had to hear it twice for it to sink in! Best career advice I received!
Kristina CabezasPM Mom Looking to Make an Impact
20
11/19/20 at 6:02PM UTC (Edited)
I don't know what your specific profession is, but I think these two sentiments should apply regardless:
1) Don't be too hard on yourself. Nobody knows everything. Nobody knows what they don't know. Everybody makes mistakes, and everybody needs help at multiple times throughout their careers. It's tough as a woman since we are often stigmatized for needing help or showing insecurity, but recognizing when you need support and owning your mistakes makes you a stronger asset for any organization.
2) Always remember that companies are made up of people and exist to serve people in some way shape or form whether that's to provide a product/service, create utility, support day-to-day living, whatever. People who have their own personalities, agendas, goals, responses and perspectives. Go about your job with a human-centered focus and that will enable you to get the best out of your subordinates and serve your clients and customers well.
Hope that helps! Good luck.
K Clare JohnsonI tell the story of your company
60
11/19/20 at 4:54PM UTC
I was once told that I came from a "place of no." I did some thinking about it, and while having a critical eye is important (It can help find errors before they happen, or curtail projects that simply aren't feasible), I did start saying "Why not?" to myself when presented with a project or idea. It's made me more flexible in terms of types of work I take on, and given me more confidence that I can learn to do new things that seem impossible to achieve at first glance.
Shanita TaylorAuthor, Leadership Certified & Life Coach
542
11/19/20 at 12:26AM UTC
Something as simple as come to work on time.
stephanie brownStrategic Kaizen Leader
38
11/18/20 at 10:45PM UTC
Ask for what you want!
Janet GrangerConsultant/Author/Speaker
41
11/18/20 at 8:56PM UTC
Positive advice: very early on in my career, my boss told me to be sure to "duplicate" myself - and to not be fearful of teaching others what I do. That's the only way to "move up," he said. And he was right - once I because "indispensable" I went nowhere.
Negative: another boss told me that I sometimes got a "tone" to my voice that wasn't good - other people resented it. I wasn't even aware of it so it was a great (but painful) piece of advice. It was hard to learn that it's not necessarily what you say - it's how you say it. Or, in the words of Maya Angelou, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
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