Here's how you can professionally appreciate feedback from your team members.

Reconhecer prontamente o feedback é fundamental para criar um ambiente de trabalho positivo e aberto. Agradecer pelo feedback de forma imediata mostra respeito e apreço, e pode facilitar um diálogo construtivo. Essa atitude ajuda a fortalecer a comunicação e a confiança entre os membros da equipe.

So many times, over the years, I have had different feedback opportunities. Both giving and receiving. I see feedback as my opportunity to create better client relationships. Recently, at a client lunch, I was sharing experiences with the SEC and it was flattering to hear my clients say that I would be their first call were the SEC to call them. This is probably the best feedback I have received lately because it acknowledges my growth and value add to clients over the years. This has been built not only with positive feedback but also constructive criticism. Both are necessary for positive growth! Are you open to feedback and, if so, how do you turn it into growth?

Professionally appreciating feedback from team members involves active listening, expressing gratitude, seeking clarification when needed, reflecting on the feedback, implementing changes based on it, following up to show the feedback was valued, and encouraging ongoing communication. These steps help create a collaborative and supportive work environment that values input and fosters growth.

This is very important! Receiving, and giving acknowledgement, shows that the feedback was heard and the individual was not ignored. I absolutely detest offices where I have seen an anonymous feedback box because they are never looked at or addressed. I do think multiple forms of giving feedback is important but the acknowledgement step is what gives me confidence to provide feedback.

Listening to respond: mind racing, crafting defenses in your head, ready for a quick reply.... Listening to understand: being fully present and engaged to capture the essence of the message. Setting aside immediate reactions, and noticing the nuances in their words, the emotions behind their feedback and the overall context. Shifting your approach changes the feedback from an uncomfortable experience into a valuable tool for personal / professional growth. This not only allows you to be more open to learning, but this mindset shift can naturally adjust your body language and tone, showing the person giving feedback that you are open to development and receiving.

One thing I’ve noticed is that maintaining eye contact with a person who’s sharing their feedback to you let’s them know your focus is on them and what they’re sharing is valuable to you. Just by looking at your phone or glancing at your watch gives the impression (to the person sharing) that there’s little weight to what they’re saying and it can discourage them from saying anything to you that could possibly help you.

Feedback is super important and extremely powerful- when it is delivered and received appropriately. Being open to feedback is the first step and is a demonstration of carrying a Growth Mindset - you seek feedback with the intention to grow. When you are receiving feedback, in which ever form, listen carefully and before passing any judgement, reflect on the scenario that brought about the feedback- playing it again in your mind and running through possible different responses will help you gain more perspective, helping you to respond consciously next time - I find that writing this down helps me root in the reflection 😊

I’ve noticed when I take time to reflect on the feedback, I am able to find the best professional response. It’s easy to jump on a person sharing genuine feedback, but it will do no good to recognize (after the fact) you spoke too soon and didn’t take the time to truly understand why they were sharing what they shared. You can always find good if you really want to.

Respond with, "I think I understand so you are saying.... " "What would be a clear improvement in this situation?" "What about the encounter would you want to see repeated?"

Expressing gratitude is not just about being polite; it's a powerful tool for creating a positive, trusting, and collaborative team environment. It's essential to let your team know that you not only value their feedback but want their feedback. This can strengthen team dynamics and create a strong culture of continuous improvement and appreciation. On a recent marketing project, I implemented changes to team feedback and personally thanked each team member. This meant more than just a simple thank you; I highlighted specific contributions and how they positively impacted our outcomes. This motivated the team and reinforced the idea that their insights are crucial to our collective success.

It's helpful to hone in on empathy in this phase of expressing gratitude. Managers can often find it challenging to provide feedback because they worry it might be perceived as personal criticism. By expanding our perspective, we see that feedback can be a gesture of care and desire to help us improve. When we realize that both giving and receiving feedback can be difficult, we appreciate the courage and effort involved and it helps us feel and express gratitude for the insights we receive -- knowing that they are opportunities for growth and development.

Once you get the feedback and recognize that it’s helpful, apply it immediately. It shows the person that you took their feedback seriously and want to make changes to better yourself for YOU, not for them. It will benefit everyone to do so!

Invite further evaluation: "Let us revisit this. Can we meet again in the near future? Would you be willing to determine if there has been improvement in 30 days?