Turn Feedback Into Actionable Growth
How to use feedback as fuel for growth
We made it to the last step in receiving feedback. And this one’s my favorite.
Last week, I wrote about understanding feedback. In the final part of this series, we turn our attention to learning and growing.
I want to show you how to turn positive and constructive feedback into a catalyst for growth.
👉 This is a four-part series about receiving feedback:
Part 4 - Learn and grow
What to do with positive feedback
Save the feedback
You should store any positive feedback you receive. This could mean saving a message, taking a screenshot, or adding the feedback to a brag document or growth journal.
There are a few reasons why you should do this:
You won’t forget it
You can revisit it when you need inspiration
You can use it as evidence of your performance and growth
Remember what you did
Did you do something positive when writing code, submitting a pull request, or planning a feature that you’d like to repeat?
Consider creating a checklist related to these actions so you can duplicate the behavior. Or create a sticky note and put it somewhere visible.
One effective way to repeat positive behaviors and actions is to remind yourself of them until they become second nature.
Consistency leads to growth
Do you know what’s more impressive than doing something great once? Doing it twice.
Don’t let one piece of positive feedback go to your head. Use that feedback to continue growing. Now you know what works. Keep doing it.
How to grow from constructive feedback
How you respond to constructive feedback depends on its significance. For minor feedback, you can note it and move on. But for major feedback, you need a plan.
Failing to address major constructive feedback can impact performance reviews and opportunities for promotion. And it can even affect your employment. So don’t brush it off or wait to address it.
Brainstorm learning paths
Before you rush to fix what you need to improve, take the time to explore different learning paths.
There are many ways to learn, from books and online courses to pair programming and mentorship. Pick at least two paths that you’re comfortable with. Having options now can save you time later if you need to pivot.
Share your ideas
Next, you should share your ideas with the person who gave you the feedback. This is important for a few reasons.
It shows you’ve accepted the feedback.
It demonstrates your willingness to learn and grow from it.
It helps you foster collaboration with the other person.
The last reason is crucial. If the other person dislikes your growth plan or believes it’s ineffective, they’ll be less likely to endorse it or acknowledge your efforts.
Ask for help
Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Whether the other person is your manager or your peer, give them a chance to help you. If they can’t, they probably know someone who can.
I used to think asking for help was a sign of weakness and ignorance. It’s not. Asking for help demonstrates your desire to learn. It’s a key component of a growth mindset.
As humans, we learn best together.
Receiving feedback isn’t one-and-done. It’s a cyclical process. After you finish one feedback loop, you can start a new one. This continuous feedback cycle can fuel meaningful growth if you’re willing to be vulnerable and step out of your comfort zone. After all, that’s where we grow the most.
I save positive feedback in the form of emails. I will take screenshots and send them to myself. Additionally, I write down feedback I receive verbally on a post-it and keep those post-its in a tiny book. It helps remind me of my journey, where I've been and where I want to be. Great post! I appreciate the point about brainstorming learning paths instead of rushing to fix things. Very good take-aways!
Great point about consistency and habit forming as a way to make good use of the positive reinforcement over time.