I spend a lot of time driving on I-70. If you've ever spent much time on that road, you’ll know that turns aren’t something that happens very often. Add to that the fact that I’m usually leaving early or coming back late to accommodate meeting times, and there’s hardly any traffic. It’s during these times that something a bit annoying happens. I’ll be listening to an audiobook when the talking suddenly stops, and a dinging sound starts coming from the truck, along with a red icon telling me to grab the steering wheel. Even though I have my hands on the wheel, it’s been so long since I’ve turned that it assumes I’ve let go (fun fact—my truck doesn’t have a self-driving feature). It actually makes me shake the wheel a little to make the alert go away and let my book resume.
It’s annoying feedback, but I understand why it’s there. Feedback comes in varying levels of intensity and value, and that’s what I’d like to talk about in this week’s thoughts.
End-of-year review time is here at our company, and feedback is front and center for many of us. Whether we’re giving it or receiving it, feedback plays a key role in growth. I’ve learned over the years that growth only really happens when we’re willing to listen to the feedback that may not be comfortable. Like the truck dinging at me on I-70, the alerts we get in life may be annoying or even feel unnecessary, but they serve a purpose. They’re there to help us stay on track, make adjustments, and continue moving forward.
Real value comes from surrounding yourself with people who care enough and are brave enough to give you the kind of feedback that helps you grow. I’ve found that the best feedback doesn’t always come from the loudest voices in the room, it comes from those who genuinely want to see you succeed. These are the people who can offer a perspective you might not see, and who are willing to tell you the hard truths because they care about you and your long-term future. It’s important to have people in your life who will not just cheer you on, but also challenge you when needed.
It takes courage to give honest feedback, but it also takes courage to receive it. None of us likes being told we’re off course, but the reality is that without these moments, we don’t grow. And when you have people in your life who are brave enough to tell you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear, that’s a gift. It’s like a friend telling you to shake the steering wheel when you’ve been on autopilot too long.
As you go through your next review, whether formal or informal, remember the importance of offering feedback that can truly help someone. It’s not about tearing someone down, but about helping them see areas where they can improve and grow. And on the flip side, take the feedback you’re given with the understanding that it’s a chance for you to become better.
There’s a quote I like from Jim Trinka that says, “Feedback is a gift. Ideas are the currency of our next success.” Feedback isn’t just something that flows one way. It’s a two-way street. When we’re open to giving and receiving it, we create a culture where everyone can grow. But here’s the key: It’s not just about receiving feedback, it’s about what you do with it. Do you take it, process it, and apply it? Or do you brush it off, thinking it’s not relevant to you?
The more we lean into feedback, the more we develop the ability to self-correct and steer ourselves in the right direction. I’ve found that some of the best changes I’ve made, both in my personal life and in business, have come from feedback that wasn’t necessarily easy to hear. It was the type of feedback that made me take a hard look in the mirror and say, "Alright, let’s shake the wheel and get back on course."
That Leads Me to This Week’s Challenge…
This week, I challenge you to seek out meaningful feedback. Whether it’s from a friend, coworker, or mentor, find someone who will tell you the truth and help you grow. And if you’re in a position to give feedback, approach it with honesty and a mindset to help the other person succeed. Feedback is a gift, and when used correctly, it’s one of the greatest tools for growth.
I’m thankful you took the time to read this, for choosing to work, and for being part of what makes this world amazing.
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