It doesn't matter if we are talking about learning a foreign language, honing a skill, improving our public speaking strategy, or mastering a topic... sooner or later each of us will reach a plateau and, without some kind of feedback or critique, it will not be possible to level up.
Most people are afraid of receiving feedback, even more so if the observations should point out weaknesses, hidden bias, blind spots, shortages, mistakes, and all the usual suspects.
And yet, even if constantly hearing how brilliant, productive, and charming we are feels good and it's a nice ego stroke, it doesn't help us to grow and to step up, because we don't know (yet) what else can be further enhanced and trained, and what needs to be changed.
Instead of getting defensive or being afraid of critique, we should be thankful for any piece of advice and we should cherish it as a way of generating leverage and new opportunities.
This doesn't mean that we should ignore all the positive feedback and focus only on what's wrong.
Finding a healthy balance is of vital importance, just like it is staying open and welcoming useful critique.
Coaching question of the day:
"How do you leverage received critique for your advantage?"
Most people are afraid of receiving feedback, even more so if the observations should point out weaknesses, hidden bias, blind spots, shortages, mistakes, and all the usual suspects.
[Critique should be seen as a good friend...
and as a new chance to see things differently and to learn]
And yet, even if constantly hearing how brilliant, productive, and charming we are feels good and it's a nice ego stroke, it doesn't help us to grow and to step up, because we don't know (yet) what else can be further enhanced and trained, and what needs to be changed.
Instead of getting defensive or being afraid of critique, we should be thankful for any piece of advice and we should cherish it as a way of generating leverage and new opportunities.
This doesn't mean that we should ignore all the positive feedback and focus only on what's wrong.
Finding a healthy balance is of vital importance, just like it is staying open and welcoming useful critique.
Coaching question of the day:
"How do you leverage received critique for your advantage?"
Tags: Coaching question, Self-coaching, Self-awareness, Dealing with critique, Reaching a plateau, Growth mindset, Self-reflection
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