How to Be More Open to Friendly Feedback

By Marie Elwood

From time to time, all of us ask a chum or co-worker to check our work and to share their feedback with us. But often, we simply don't want to hear what they have to share with us. We've got too much invested in it, and we don't want to change. Is there a technique to open ourselves up to being more willing to depend on good counsel?

As you expand your field of vision by consulting with others, these 3 easy steps will help you make better decisions, avoid mistakes in judgement, and overcome your own limited perspectives:



1) Take A Look At Your Motivations

I run one of the top marketing firms in Atlanta, and after I've spent countless hours on a bid, report, or presentation, I often ask somebody I trust to "take a glance at this and tell me I haven't missed anything important."

That's what I say.



But honestly, what I mean is: "take a glance at this and tell me I've done a good job."



That's an entire world of difference, isn't it? In all honesty to ourselves & others, it's smart to only ask someone to spend the time offering their point of view when we are sincerely open to their insights.

2) Choose Your Counsel



Who should you turn to for a further point of view? Who will help you avoid critical gaffes in judgement? Above all , choose counsel from people who understand your objectives & can provide feedback free of hidden motivations.

You will likely have a good sense of where you want to fill in the gaps in your point of view. Is it with depth (an expert with significant experience), breadth (a generalist who can offer an overview from the 10,000-foot level), or consensus (strength in numbers)?

3) Know Yourself

Almost all of the time we spend gaining an additional point of view helps us crystalize & explain our point-of-view. But what if you've received too much conflicting information & your brain is humming like a Vuvuzela horn?

As you comb through a decision, try using some type of weighted average. Personally, I give extra emphasis to wisdom, experience, & any special "game-changing" understanding I have. When possible, give yourself time to look through multiple angles so you can successfully overcome a limited viewpoint.

These three tips, while very simple and unpretentious, can help you be more open to the type of feedback that can move your business ahead. Remind yourself to leverage them in the days ahead- - you'll soon discover your work improves quite noticeably when you do.

About the Author:

Marie Elwood is an Atlanta marketing strategy consultant who works with many of the best branding companies in America.