{"id":23527,"date":"2023-04-01T00:00:18","date_gmt":"2023-04-01T00:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/?p=23527"},"modified":"2023-03-30T18:29:44","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T18:29:44","slug":"taking-feedback-with-grace-0423","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarybusiness.com\/taking-feedback-with-grace-0423\/","title":{"rendered":"Taking Feedback With Grace"},"content":{"rendered":"

No one is thrilled to hear, \u201cCan I give you some feedback?\u201d Typically, whatever comes next is about something that someone wishes we\u2019d do differently. At best, an expert giver of feedback forces us to see ourselves or our situation in another light. But unfortunately, many bosses, colleagues, friends and co-workers in veterinary practices (and anywhere else, for that matter) aren\u2019t skilled at feedback. Instead, they blunder, assume and insult. And yet, they likely have helpful information for us if we can just get past their approach.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re a feedback recipient, you might not know you\u2019re doing something that\u2019s holding you back, upsetting others, or causing strife or inefficiency. If you don\u2019t know, you can\u2019t fix the problem, so it likely got stickier.<\/p>\n

Use the following strategies to make feedback go well, demonstrate personal leadership and get the most out of well-meaning comments.<\/p>\n

Assume the Best<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Whether the practice owner, hospital manager, head technician or kennel attendant spoke up, you can feel pretty sure the person isn\u2019t thrilled about something. Think about the times you offered feedback. I doubt you gleefully made a list of difficult things to discuss with the recipient.<\/p>\n

Feedback is a gift. Veterinary team members giving it likely thought for a while about what to say and how. In my experience, they\u2019re anxious and demonstrate courage<\/a> by coming to the table. They wouldn\u2019t speak up if they didn\u2019t care or didn\u2019t think the issue was important.<\/p>\n

A Gallup study found that 62% of supervisors are anxious about giving feedback to employees. Imagine the percentage when employees have feedback for their boss. That\u2019s one reason the conversations are complicated; the giver and the receiver usually are wound up. You and I know that keeping everyone engaged in calm, helpful dialogue in such moments is difficult.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Take It Personally<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Your lizard brain has the unenviable job of keeping you alive when danger approaches. Therefore, your experience might have you believe that someone delivering feedback is worse than a slobbering saber-toothed tiger.<\/p>\n

When someone on the practice team offers you feedback, your two major responsibilities are to:<\/p>\n