Jef Brouwers - Feedback as a Source for Growth

Summary

This video explores the transformative power of feedback in personal and professional growth. It emphasizes the importance of listening to others, accepting feedback with an open mind, and using it as a tool for self-improvement. The speaker highlights the value of building connections and trust with others to make feedback more effective. The process of accepting and learning from feedback is framed as a journey toward greater happiness, development, and success, making feedback a key instrument for continuous growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Learning about yourself starts with listening to what others say about you.
• 😀 Accepting feedback is a critical part of personal development and growth.
• 😀 People often resist feedback, but openness to it is key for learning.
• 😀 Don't defend yourself against feedback—resisting it hinders your ability to learn.
• 😀 Choose people you trust and connect with to provide meaningful feedback.
• 😀 Feedback should be focused on helping others succeed, not just on the facts.
• 😀 Building strong connections with people creates a foundation for effective feedback.
• 😀 Having a positive mindset towards feedback makes it easier to embrace and act upon.
• 😀 Feedback is meant to develop your talents and eliminate unproductive behaviors.
• 😀 Personal growth is a continuous process where learning is fun and rewarding.

Q & A

What is the first thing to learn about yourself according to the script?

The first thing to learn about yourself is to listen carefully to everything others say about you, and not to be frustrated by it.

How can you assess yourself beyond what others say?

You can assess yourself by doing online psychological tests or other assessments, which provide a snapshot that helps you learn a lot in a short amount of time.

Why is feedback important for self-development?

Feedback is crucial for self-development because it allows you to learn from others' perspectives, helping you grow and improve continuously.

What happens when someone defends themselves against feedback?

When you defend yourself against feedback, you close yourself off from learning. The key to growth is being open to the feedback and not being defensive.

How should you approach receiving feedback?

You should approach receiving feedback with an open mindset, saying, 'I am open to feedback, tell me everything.' This mindset allows you to learn and improve.

What role does the connection with the person giving feedback play?

The connection with the person giving feedback is important because if there is a wall or lack of chemistry, you won't be able to hear or accept the feedback effectively.

What is the recommended strategy for creating a circle of feedback?

You should create a circle of influence, surrounding yourself with people who can provide feedback and also have the ability to influence you positively.

How should feedback be framed when giving it to others?

When giving feedback, it should be development-oriented, aiming to build on someone's strengths and talents, while also addressing areas that need improvement.

How does feedback contribute to teamwork?

Feedback is an essential part of teamwork because it fosters collaboration and growth. It's not about eliminating someone but helping them improve and become better.

What mindset should you adopt towards feedback?

You should adopt the mindset that feedback is not about identifying something wrong with you, but about improvement and becoming more effective, happier, and more fun.