Giving and receiving feedback

Feedback — making it a positive experience for everyone

Feedback is a valuable — and I would argue, essential — part of working life, but making it a positive experience for everyone takes practice.

None of us can operate in a vacuum; feedback is the only way to discover how you are perceived by others. If we understand how others see us, we gain a vital perspective on our own performance, which can influence our learning and development and that of those around us. As I’ve previously mentioned, author Tasha Eurich’s book ‘Insight’ explains that seeking feedback is a more effective tool than self-reflection to gain insight into ourselves and improve our self-awareness.

I’ve blogged before about the importance of organisations in developing a culture which supports positive, well-considered, regular and constructive feedback and how this can be a brilliant tool for the encouragement of an individual or team. Feedback can help identify strengths and areas of development, as well as skills and future areas of improvement. Practical, targeted feedback can improve performance, raise awareness, build confidence and help career progression.

Delivering feedback in a safe space that is timely, consistent and authentic creates ‘positive feedback loops’ between people, creating healthy, reciprocal relationships and opportunities for them to work towards improving and achieving.

Continue reading “Giving and receiving feedback”

Personal development in a VUCA world

The term VUCA has been used for a while now to describe the modern business world. Originally coined in the US Military to describe the uncertainty of the post 9/11 world, futurist Bob Johansen adapted the term for the business world in his 2009 book Leaders Make The Future.

There are many forces at work which lead to the instability and turbulent nature of the business world: the downturn in the economy, the Covid-19 pandemic, the current energy crisis, changes in legislation and politics, the innovations in technology, rising costs, changing customer demands and the climate crisis – all factors that help create a VUCA world – volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous – an ever-changing, complicated, unclear world. Continue reading “Personal development in a VUCA world”

Using an interview to find out more about company culture

Many people consider an interview a one-way process. You’re there to be grilled by the organisation; your role is reactive. The onus is on you to show what you can do for the prospective new employer, how you might fit into their setup. In your preparation, you might think about questions the interviewer may ask you and draft some thoughts about your replies.

But interviews can – and should – be more of a two-way deal. It’s not just about successfully returning answers to questions served at you across the metaphorical tennis net; an interview can also provide a golden opportunity to take control and discover more about the company’s culture – and whether it’s going to give you what you need. Continue reading “Using an interview to find out more about company culture”

Why can it take so long to hear back after a job interview?

You’ve narrowed down your job search. You’ve spent time composing a knock-their-socks off covering letter, and CV which pays off when you’re offered an interview. You prepare and research the company, practice your success stories, rehearse your killer questions, and have a perfectly pitched presentation ready. You carefully consider your outfit and make your way to the interview – either face to face or online.

The interview is finally over, it’s the final interview and you know you are down to the last few candidates. You think you’ve done quite well, you got a good vibe, you built good rapport with the interviewers and got positive feedback, so you’re feeling optimistic that an offer will soon come through.

Then… nothing. Continue reading “Why can it take so long to hear back after a job interview?”