Feedback is neither easy to give or receive, but both are imperative for personal development.
Keep in mind the following points when tasked with receiving feedback:
1. Allow yourself to be developed - Be open to improving your weaknesses. Even be open to improving in areas you feel to be strengths. We don't know how to do a lot of things and that is alright.
2. Respect different methods of feedback delivery - We are all different. Which means we are all going to deliver feedback differently, and further we all have different ideas on the best method of feedback delivery. There is no right or wrong, just different.
3. Avoid defensive responses - This is not the time to disagree or counterpoint suggestions. Someone has gone out on a limb to try to develop you. This is the time to listen.
4. Reciprocate the feedback - No need to regurgitate what was just said to you, but make a conscious effort to work through the delivered feedback. There is no such thing as "I'll try to implement this later."
5. Show appreciation - It's no easy task for someone to develop another. In fact, it can be quite uncomfortable. Humbly reward the feedback-giver with appreciation and you'll be more likely to be given feedback in the future.
In the end, remember that we have so much to learn from one another. And while we can certainly develop on our own, learning from others is of the utmost importance. Cherish the time that someone gives to you.
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