• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Paddy Spruce | Confident Public Speaking

Confident Public Speaking

  • Home
  • About Paddy
  • Blog
  • Contact

Can I give you some feedback?

June 15, 2017 by Paddy Spruce

Tweet

This is a terrifying question, don’t you think? Almost as terrifying is ‘Can you give me some feedback on what I need to change’? Sometimes feedback is vague and unhelpful. We can make it more specific by asking questions like ‘what specifically do you want me to change?’

Before asking this question, you need to be prepared to accept what is said. If you defend yourself, you don’t get any benefit or detail. Try this…

Breathe in just after asking the question.

Tell yourself that the feedback is to help you improve and is only about your behaviour, not you personally.

Tell yourself that it is better to get the feedback directly to your face than behind your back.

Be grateful that this person is trying to help you.

Remember there is no progress without feedback of some sort. It is all neutral and sometimes the feedback that we may call negative is the most helpful.

You have got nothing to lose by asking ‘Can you give me some feedback on what I need to improve or change?’

Filed Under: Blog

Footer

Latest Blog Posts

Dunno

What’s the risk of replying ‘I don’t know’ when asked a question? The questioner may be miffed that you don’t know something that they expect you to know. No big deal. Pretending that you know is a far greater risk. Nowadays, we are expected to have an opinion on many things – politics, religion, defence, […]

The ego tango

The tango is a wonderful dance but you need a partner. The ego dance is not so wonderful but again you need a partner. Imagine someone tells you that you are mistaken or wrong. First step. You reply energetically ‘I am not wrong. You are’. Step two. Steps three and four can be more energetic. […]

Subscribe to my blog and newsletter

Subscribe to my mailing list

* indicates required

How to contact Paddy

Ph: +61 (0)418 996 970

Paddy is located in Melbourne, Australia and welcomes requests from beyond.

  • LinkedIn

Copyright © 2022 Paddy Spruce