Feedback: A Gift for Discovering Blindspots

Cheers to a New Year and a second chance to do it right in 2009! The best way to learn how to do it right is by discovering our "blindspots".....which can only be done through valuable feedback. Of all the New Year Resolutions that I have heard, I have never heard anyone say, "My resolution this new year is to be more open to feedback from others." Wow, what a new concept! Why is it that when we are given valuable feedback we interpret it as criticism? Instead of accepting it as a great gift that will help us improve, we reject it and become defensive. There could be several reasons for this behavior. One reason could be that we don't understand the value of feedback and how it can work wonders for us. Another reason could be that we lack the skills in giving and receiving meaningful feedback. Learning the skill of how to give and receive feedback is the most important skill we can learn in this life. This skill alone will improve our relationships and our quality of life. So this year, instead of taking valuable feedback and trashing it because you see it as criticism, I challenge you to listen more carefully and probe down for better understanding. Learn to do it right in 2009---discover your blindspots by accepting feedback from others (your spouse, boss, kids, parents, friends, and enemies)!