The art of receiving feedback as a leader
Wednesday, March 19, 2025 - Joe Kiedinger
As a leader, much of what you do revolves around providing a constant stream of feedback to your team. You provide direction, set goals, keep people on track, praise a job well done, deliver constructive criticism when people aren’t meeting expectations… heck, you’re liable to do every single one of those things all in one day!
Some people may think leadership is easy, but anybody who’s ever done it knows better. However, there are ways to ease your burden and make things more manageable. It’s not some grand secret or little-known knowledge, it’s actually pretty simple. Start making receivingfeedback a priority. Yes, receiving feedback.
Receiving feedback might not be a priority for you at all, but I’m here to show you why it should be! It’s the most straightforward, surefire way to get the information you need to excel in any role, especially as a leader. By seeking out feedback, you open up opportunities for to critically analyze your performance and have a clearer understanding of what the people who rely on you need from you. Receiving feedback will:
- Create trust within your team
Think about it from your perspective. Although you are a leader, you also have leaders and mentors in your work and in your life. You have people that you are accountable to, that have expectations of you, and that assign responsibilities to you in full confidence that you can get them done.
How would you feel if your boss came into your office and said something like, “Hey, what can I do better for you?” Or, “How can I set you up to do your job as best as you can?” Even further, “Do you feel fulfilled in your role? How am I doing with honoring your dignity?” And as you answered those questions, your boss listened to what you had to say, maybe took down notes, and made noticeable changes based on the feedback you gave them.
You’d feel good, right? You’d feel like they have your back, and you might feel even more motivated to perform, seeing your boss go out of their way to set you up for success. That’s exactly the feeling you would create in your team members. It’s actions, not words, that build trust.
- Inspire confidence in yourself
Going in blind can feel scary. The uncertainty nags at you, causes stress, and chips away at your confidence. Your thoughts start to take over as you wonder if you’re causing conflict in your team or doing everything you can to meet a goal. Imposter syndrome might even get you wondering if you’re good enough for the role you’ve been given. (Spoiler alert – you ARE! That’s why you were chosen.)
One of the best ways to escape from those stressful, negative lines of thinking is through clarity. Information. When you have your team members directly telling you what they need, you have the setup you need to make yourself a great leader. It becomes easier. All you need to do is set a plan based on what you have been told and execute.
“He who cannot be a good follower cannot be a good leader.”
It’s a quote from Aristotle, all the way back in the days of Ancient Greece, and it has held true throughout all of time. A good leader is a confident leader. A confident leader is an informed leader. An informed leader is a humble leader, who seeks out the information they need to fill in blind spots and excel for the people that depend on them.
Receiving feedback can be an uncomfortable experience that challenges you in ways you often can’t foresee. This is precisely the reason you don’t see people doing this so often! You’ll be setting yourself apart by seeking out feedback. Here are some things that you can do to prepare yourself for the experience.
- Clear your mind – If you struggle with receiving critical feedback, do something to prepare ahead of time. Take deep breaths, meditate, go for a walk, whatever you do to get yourself calm and clear.
- Actively listen – When you’re receiving the feedback, let the other person express their full ideas without interruption. Even if you may disagree with their perspective, avoid arguing or protesting in the moment. Simply absorb the information, take them at their word, and say thank you. You will have time to analyze what they say later.
- Make it a habit – Invest in a system that makes receiving feedback a habit. Dignify comes equipped with the tools you need to get full spectrum feedback on a regular basis, including Check-Ins, Meetings, and Surveys. Curious about Dignify and the system we offer? Click here to learn more.
Prioritizing feedback is a game changer for any leader. Actively seeking it out helps build trust with your team, boosts your own confidence, and gives you the insight you need to grow and lead more effectively. Receiving feedback can be uncomfortable at times, but the benefits far outweigh the uncomfortability.
By staying open to it and making it a habit, you’ll set yourself up to be a more informed, humble, trusted, and effective leader. Keep the feedback loop going, and you’ll see the positive impact it has on both your growth and the success of your team.
JOE KIEDINGER
ACTION PLAN: Don’t just give feedback, receive it! Provide your team with opportunities to let you know what you’re doing well and where you can improve.