Open to Feedback

How to Start Being Open to Feedback

A practical quick-start guide to developing one of the most valuable skills for personal and professional growth

đź’ˇ For comprehensive learning, consider joining our structured course

1

Understand What It Means & Why It's Valuable

Start by listening to this excellent podcast: How to Love Criticism from WorkLife with Adam Grant

🎧 Listen on:

2

Make a Personal Commitment

Write down your commitment to being more open to feedback. Reflect on what this means to you personally.

Consider making yourself accountable by adding "Open to Feedback" to visible places like:

  • Your Slack status
  • Email signature
  • LinkedIn profile
  • Team bio or introduction
3

Practice Asking for & Receiving Feedback

Start small and build your comfort level. Here are some practical ways to begin:

  • Start conversations by directly asking for feedback
  • Create a simple Google Form where people can share feedback anonymously
  • Ask specific questions like "What's one thing I could do better?"
  • Request feedback after meetings, presentations, or projects
4

Reflect & Decide What to Action

Don't just collect feedback—process it thoughtfully. Ask yourself:

  • What's not clear? What clarifying questions should I ask?
  • What might be true or useful in this feedback?
  • How can I best act on the most valuable insights?
  • What patterns am I seeing across different feedback sources?

🔄 Repeat Steps 3 & 4 Continuously

Make this a regular practice, not a one-time activity

đź“š Recommended Resources

đź“ş Watch

  • BrenĂ© Brown: The Call to Courage (Netflix)

🎧 Listen

  • Leading Above the Line

đź“– Read

  • Thanks for the Feedback – Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen
  • Radical Candor – Kim Scott
  • The Four Agreements – Don Miguel Ruiz
  • Drive – Daniel H. Pink
  • Thinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman

⏰ When's the Best Time to Ask for Feedback?

The best time to ask for feedback is when you're "above the line" — in a positive, open, and curious mindset. Being in this space helps reduce your natural defensive response to potentially challenging feedback.

If you're feeling defensive, stressed, or overwhelmed, it might be better to wait until you're in a more receptive state of mind.