Add “Thanks for the Feedback” To Your Must-Read List
If you haven't picked up Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well, now is the time. In my mind, Sheila Heen gave one of the best talks at the most recent Global Leadership Summit, and it was based on the learnings found in this book.
As I listened to Heen's talk at the Summit, I found myself again and again thinking, "This is actually a key to discipleship." In the days since the conference I've become even more convinced that becoming a mature follower of Jesus has everything to do with learning to seek out feedback and receive it well.
While it doesn't read like a research based book, it certainly is written from deep experience, the result of ten years of "working with businesses, nonprofits, governments, and families to determine what helps us learn and what gets in our way."
Working my way through the book I discovered it is jam packed with insight and highly teachable and very practical skills. The practices and techniques presented in Thanks for the Feedback can easily be packaged and delivered as a series of skill-training breakouts or team development exercises.
The set up is very good, first recognizing and identifying the things that get in the way of hearing and benefitting from feedback. Learning about the three triggers (truth triggers, relationship triggers, and identity triggers) that block feedback is eye-opening and provides key insights, making the practices and techniques understandable and why-didn't-I-think-of-this obvious.
Thanks for the Feedback is packed with great take-aways and very actionable. My copy is highlighted and bookmarked and I am already looking for opportunities to implement what I've learned here.
Whether you want to build a great team or organization or simply become a better disciple, you need to pick up a copy of Thanks for the Feedback. I believe this is a must-read book for all of us.
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I heard Ken Blanchard (One Minute Manager/Lead Like Jesus) say once “Feedback is the breakfast of champions.” He advised three sentences I put on a post-it by my phone: (1) “Thank you.” (2) “Is there anything else you’d like to add?” (3) “Is there anyone else I would benefit from talking with about this?” Powerful.
Those are good words! Thanks David!