Navigating the Noise: How to Find and Use Quality Feedback

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Everyone seeks feedback to learn from others and improve in what they do best!

In recent years, I have found that people who talk online and offline with so much confidence need more credentials in their competence. They have not demonstrated expertise and accomplishment in the past and tend to speak without substance.

I’m being careful about whom to listen to and how to navigate the noise and find quality feedback. Here’re a couple of tips and considerations for seeking and using feedback from others:

Questions to ask

• When seeking feedback, asking specific, targeted questions can be helpful rather than simply inviting open-ended comments. This can help focus the conversation and ensure you receive valuable, actionable insights.

Source of the feedback:

• Consider the source of the feedback. Is it coming from someone who has expertise in the area you are seeking feedback on? Do they have firsthand experience, or are they just sharing their opinion?
• The more relevant the person’s background and experience are to your situation, and the more likely the feedback will be valuable.

Ask for clarification:

• Be bold and ask for clarification or elaboration if you are unsure of what someone means by their feedback. It would be helpful to ask for examples or specific suggestions for improvement to understand and use the feedback you receive fully.

An open mind:

• Keep an open mind and be willing to consider different perspectives. Even if you don’t agree with all the feedback you receive, it can still be valuable to consider it and consider how it might apply to your situation.

Be thankful:

• Be gracious and thankful when you receive feedback, even if it is not entirely positive. Remember that the person offering the feedback is taking the time to help you improve, and expressing appreciation can go a long way in building and maintaining positive relationships.

Just do not blindly believe anything. As humans, we tend to speak highly about things and look for how much groundwork has been done by a person when we receive feedback.