Feedback

Feedback

UnitedSucces-member Mary Okelo from Kenya started a nursery school at her home after friends suggested it. Mary was trained and worked as a very successful banker. But her friends had noticed her contagious enthusiasm whenever she was surrounded by children. Mary followed up on their advice. The nursery school was the start of a new fulfilling career that resulted in a bustling educational complex from which thousands of students have graduated.

Feedback is an invitation to look in the mirror. You might discover challenges, but may also see strengths and opportunities as in the case of Mary Okelo. Feedback also works this way in business. But feedback procedures in many companies are a bureaucratic review once or twice a year. The ideal is a natural flow of feedback on all levels whenever needed.

In general people shy away from feedback. They feel vulnerable and fear criticism of their behavior or wrongdoings. And frequently feedback is seen as the stick to beat the dog. Both giving and receiving feedback is a good habit to cultivate. Feedback works when it is sincere, concrete, and relevant to the person and refers to recent events. People grow when they receive feedback. If it carries criticism then do also suggest how things could be improved. Thus feedback can be a powerful instrument for change. Mary will testify to that.

The UnitedSucces team would like to look in the mirror. What do you think of the Topic of the Week? What could we do better? What subjects you would like to address?