Your ego is your biggest obstacle to growth—feedback isn’t the enemy, your defensiveness is.
Let’s be real: receiving feedback about your work can be hard. Your ego jumps in, ready to defend every decision, every action.
It’s natural.
But if you want to grow as a leader, you have to quiet that voice and really listen.
The tricky part?
Not all feedback is useful.
Some of it’s gold—insights that can drive real improvement.
Some of it, though, just doesn’t apply.
The key is learning to filter through what’s constructive and what’s not.
Next time you get feedback, ask yourself:
What can I take from this to get better?
Then, let the rest go.
It’s not easy, but it’s how we improve, one step at a time.
I struggled with feedback for many years. I struggled asking because I knew the feedback would ultimately become an ego hit. I would push back against it. I would want to defend my actions.
A few years ago I made a mindset shift. Instead of taking it personal I began to think of it from a more spiritual perspective. Sorry to go woo-woo on you, but it works.
When I asked for feedback from a client I didn’t think they were criticizing me. I thought of them criticizing someone else. Michael Singer likes to call ourselves the witness. We are witnessing what we are doing.
I know this is confusing. It’s hard to separate the soul from the body but bear with me.
You look in the mirror, and you are in there. You don’t age. Your soul doesn’t age.
Do you remember when you were a young kid and you looked at yourself in the mirror?
Now when you look you see your older self, but you don’t feel different.
You are the witness. You aren’t the person who is being criticized. You are only witnessing the person being criticized.
I know it sounds weird, but next time you are asking for feedback. Think of yourself as just the actor in a play. The actor is getting feedback, but the witness is just watching what is happening. It’s almost an out-of-body experience.
You don’t take it personally because it’s only feedback that you are witnessing and can help the character (your body and mind) that you (soul) helped create and has an ego. Just think of it as helping your body and mind become happier.
This didn’t happen overnight for me. It takes practice.
Your character will still get his ego bruised. Your character will want to throw a tantrum, but as the witness, you can talk to this character. Let him know that it’s just feedback to learn from.
The more you practice, the more helpful it becomes.
Ok, I’m done with my crazy spiritual stuff. Let’s break down how you can get feedback to improve your team, business and career.
Feedback Loop
Gathering input from those who interact with you and your business is the first step in creating a feedback loop.
This might seem obvious, but many companies either don’t ask for feedback or do so in a way that isn’t conducive to honest, constructive responses.
Three areas of focus are:
- Employee/colleague Feedback
- Customer/client/partner Feedback
- Supplier and vendor Feedback
The last one might not apply, but whether you work for your own company or for someone else’s company feedback is important. You want to collect if from people that you interact with.
Using Feedback to Drive Improvements
To truly benefit from feedback, it must be analyzed and acted upon. This involves identifying common themes, prioritizing areas for improvement, and implementing changes based on the insights gained.
1. Identifying Issues:
One of the most valuable aspects of a feedback loop is its ability to uncover problems that might not be immediately visible to leadership.
For instance, employees might highlight inefficiencies in a particular process, or customers might point out recurring issues with a product.
By regularly reviewing feedback, you can spot patterns that indicate systemic problems, allowing you to address them before they escalate.
2. Saving Time and Money:
Addressing issues identified through feedback can lead to significant time and cost savings.
For example, if employees report that a certain task takes too long due to outdated software, investing in an upgrade could streamline the process, saving time and reducing frustration.
Similarly, customer feedback might reveal that a product feature is unnecessary or confusing, allowing you to simplify the product and reduce production costs.
3. Improving Company Culture:
When employees see that their feedback leads to real change, it fosters a culture of continuous improvement and collaboration.
They become more invested in the company’s success and are more likely to contribute ideas in the future.
This can lead to increased innovation, as employees feel empowered to share their insights and suggestions.
4. Enhancing Customer Satisfaction:
Customers appreciate when their feedback is acknowledged and acted upon.
When they see that their input has led to improvements, it strengthens their loyalty to your brand.
This not only helps retain existing customers but can also attract new ones, as satisfied customers are more likely to recommend your products or services to others.
5. Staying Competitive:
In today’s rapidly changing market, staying competitive requires agility and responsiveness.
A well-established feedback loop allows you to quickly adapt to new trends, customer needs, and industry developments. By continuously improving based on feedback, your business can remain relevant and ahead of the competition.
Implementing Effective Feedback Loops
Creating an effective feedback loop requires a structured approach. Here’s how to get started:
- Set Clear Objectives:
- Choose the Right Channels:
- Analyze and Prioritize:
- Take Action:
- Close the Loop:
Conclusion: Elevate Your Business with Feedback Loops
Feedback loops are not just a tool for gathering opinions—they are a powerful mechanism for driving continuous improvement and long-term success.
By actively listening to your employees, customers, and partners and using their feedback to make informed decisions, you can identify and resolve issues before they become critical, save time and money, and create a more innovative and engaged workplace.
As a process designer, I specialize in helping businesses develop and implement effective feedback loops that lead to real, measurable improvements. If you’re ready to elevate your business and create a culture of continuous growth, let’s connect and discuss how I can help you turn feedback into a strategic advantage.
Do you want to go deeper on these ideas? Join the 5 Day Proactive Feedback Challenge to improve your business and your team.
Photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash
