Image via Wikipedia
In any new endeavor, or when working for a new boss, it is often difficult to know whether you’re doing the right thing. It is important to know that you are working in the right way.
So how do you find out? The answer is to use one of the easiest nlp techniques which is known as feedback.
The NLP guru Anthony Robbins coined the phrase, “feedback is the breakfast of champions.” He is right to place feedback in such high esteem.
You may think that you have an understanding of feedback, but do you?
The importance of feedback is of course partially in the message that you receive, but of even greater importance is the way that you react to the feedback you are given.
If you regard feedback as criticism and react to it in a defensive, angry way you will learn little from the feedback. However, if you welcome the feedback and react to it in a positive way. You can learn a lot. Even more importantly, if you react positively you will encourage the person who gives the feedback to give you more valuable feedback in the future.
When someone gives you feedback you should ask them questions about how they formed the opinions they are expressing. Ask them for suggestions as to how you might improve your performance. Ask them if they know of any books you could usefully read. Ask them if there are any individuals whose performance you could model so that you might be able to replicate their good behaviour.
Of course there are people who will try to take advantage of you and to put you down by criticising your performance. However, once you become addicted to feedback you will quickly learn to spot such people and to take their criticism with a pinch of salt.
Welcome the idea that there are people who are prepared to take the time and trouble to notice what you are doing and to try to help you to improve.
