Our development follows a basic pattern: We have an idea, we run the experiment, then we learn and grow. This natural process is often compromised, either because of a lack of ideas, a fear in taking action, or a simple inability to pay attention to the actual experience. Often what can limit personal development is this close assessment of your performance, which provides the raw material to capture key learnings and strategise on change. This is where feedback can help.
There are two basic types: external and internal. Internal feedback is based on how you feel about your performance – what was happening with your state of mind and execution of your knowledge or skill? External is having something (like a video camera) or somebody (a coach or mentor) critique your performance.
To get the most out of feedback, you first of all need to be open to it. Second, you will need a way of understanding, documenting and bringing your new learnings into new action that drive greater performance. Look closely at your openness to feedback. If you fear it, it is more then likely ego is in the way (you have manufactured confidence to hide what you don’t want to face – you don’t feel good enough). Or maybe you just haven’t built or utilised a good team and resources around you. Either way, could be worth investigating how feedback can help you – and put a system in place that accelerates your personal development.