On the importance of taking feedback requests seriously

This week marked the end of our year in review period. While the days get pretty full on with a series of one-on-one conversations especially for people managers, it also comes with one my most favorite exercises: providing and receiving feedback from people I have worked with for the past year. 🗨 💬 

Throughout the nine years I have been with Macquarie, I have always aimed to respond to 💯 % of the feedback requests that go my way. This year, that number was 43. ✍ 

Now think about that for a moment. Assuming I take at least fifteen minutes on one, and up to half an hour for some, that means I spent between ~12 to ~24 hours crafting and writing about feedback. That's not a small amount of time! 🤯 

Here's why I always take it seriously and want to give justice to each of my responses:

🙌 I consider it an honor to be asked! My view is someone took the time to get my opinion and they believed that the same will be helpful in shaping their personal scorecards and career plans for the coming year.

💭 It also allowed me to reflect on my relationship with the individual. How was I this past year with him/her/they specifically? How can I make our future collaboration opportunities better?

💌 Finally, it gives me an opportunity to thank them for the year that was and recommend behavioral shifts moving forward. "But Ralph, surely you can do that any time, can't you?" Yes, but for this one, it's on the record, and one they can easily look back to in the future.

Speaking of, that is also one of the reasons I enjoy this feedback season. 

All of us have not so good days right? You know, those days when you have to remind yourself that you're awesome and you've got it? 😵 The feedback I received from past years have served that purpose very well. 📑 I know I can read through what my peers and leaders have thought of me in the past which then gives me that nudge to carry on and continue with what I got reminded I am capable of. This year, I've had the gift of receiving 68 of them. 🎁 

How about you? When was the last time you gave and received #feedback? How has that impacted you?