Crack the Code of Feedback & Self-Advocacy

Mastering how to give and receive feedback is often thought of as the ‘silver bullet’ for personal and professional development.

As well as this, understanding the significance of feedback can enable you to manage upwards more effectively, resulting in greater collaboration and stronger communication with those around you. Check out our top methods for asking for feedback, providing constructive feedback, and adjusting to feedback below:

1. The Power of Feedback: Feedback plays a crucial role in your personal and professional growth. By actively seeking feedback from managers, you can demonstrate your willingness to learn, enhance your performance, and foster trust in your working relationships. Asking specific questions about areas of improvement or seeking input on projects and tasks enables you to receive actionable feedback - crucial for career development.
2. Constructive Feedback vs. Empty Praise: Constructive feedback, which highlights both strengths and areas for improvement, is more valuable than generic positive feedback. It provides you with clear direction on how to enhance your skills and performance. The focus should be on providing specific, actionable feedback rather than vague or empty praise.
3. The Importance of Managing Up: Managing Up involves optimising the relationship with your manager for maximum productivity. It is not about seeking approval or sacrificing personal needs for your manager's preferences. Instead, Managing Up is centred upon advocating for yourself, expressing your needs and ideas confidently, and presenting solutions to challenges. It requires active engagement, adaptability, and collaboration.
4. Factors Influencing Feedback Experiences: Feedback experiences can be influenced by various factors, including the power dynamic between you and your manager, social identifiers such as race, ethnicity, gender, and previous experiences with feedback. Being mindful of these factors can help you and your manager navigate feedback conversations and create a positive and productive environment for growth.

Mastering feedback processes and Managing Up are essential skills for personal and professional development, as well being crucial in helping you become your own biggest advocate.

By implementing the methods discussed above, you can foster better working relationships, enhance your performance, and cultivate a growth mindset. Managing Up allows you to take ownership of your career, advocate for yourself, and drive your professional growth forwards - leaving a lasting impact on your career trajectory and overall success in the workplace.

Do you have any experience managing up? Share it in the comments below. Even better? Write a blog for the Community Hub by filling out this form. The points in this blog were covered in the Managing Up: Ask, Adjust, & Advocate workshop. You can find the full event recording here.

Find our full Managing Up Guide here. 

This blog was curated by the Multiverse Community Team.