Let me start with a story which was shared on a social media platform.
A little boy went into a store that had a public phone, reached for a carton and pulled it over to the telephone. He climbed onto the carton so that he could reach the phone and proceeded to dial a number. The store owner saw this and was listening to the conversation.
Boy : Ma’am, could you give me the job of maintaining your garden?
Woman : I already have someone who does that.
Boy : Ma’am, I will do the same work for half the price you are paying the other person now.
Woman : No thanks. I am very satisfied with the person who is presently doing the job.
Boy : Ma’am, please give me a chance, I will even sweep your sidewalk.
Woman : No, thank you.
With a smile on his face, the little boy ends the call. The store owner, who was listening to all this, walks over to the boy.
Store Owner : Son, I like your attitude and positive spirit. I would like to offer you a job.
The boy smiles and says, “No thanks.”
The store owner is surprised and asks, “But you were really pleading for a job just now.”
So the boy says, “No sir, I was just checking on my performance at the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady I was talking to!”
Not only is it a nice, heart-warming story by itself, it also has a powerful lesson for everyone, especially those in the management field.
Proactive feedback
The lesson from this story is about proactive feedback and self assessment. Most of the time, an individual does not seek proactive feedback. This could be due to the fact that organisations have formal appraisal systems and other mechanisms for feedback. However, I think that this is more to do with an individual’s conditioning as most people do not seek feedback in any sphere of their lives.
How often have you seen spouses ask each other about how the other person feels about their contribution as a spouse? How often has anyone seen a parent ask for feedback? And as for in the public space, how often does anyone actively seek feedback from their colleagues or subordinates? This is a matter of habit and something that is worth developing and consciously cultivating.
Feedback is like the fuel gauge in your car or your bike. You need to keep an eye on it all the while. Imagine what would happen if you did not bother checking the fuel indicator and suddenly, realise that you are out of fuel when your vehicle stops in the middle of the road. Such a situation is what awaits a person who does not actively seek feedback. Even an organisation which does not seek constant feedback from their stake holders is bound to run into difficulties suddenly, simply because they were not keeping a watch on the fuel gauge.
The caveat
Like every worthwhile thing in life, the habit of seeking feedback needs to be consciously practiced — you could start by asking for feedback in every possible situation. They key to keep getting feedback is to listen patiently without interrupting or trying to explain or justify what you have done.
However, do keep in mind a caveat to any feedback. Others’ comments by others are based on the perspective of the other person and should be taken in an objective manner. Sometimes, feedback can be biased and in such instances, it is better to ignore it.
Regardless, one must keep an open mind and actively seekfeedback.