If Feedback is a Gift, How Should You Respond?

13 Oct

A navy-blue gift box tied with a bright red ribbon and bow. Attached to the bow is a large white tag with the word “FEEDBACK” written in black capital letters. The box sits against a plain white background.

Has anyone ever told you that "feedback is a gift"?

I know I’ve said it plenty of times—when teaching, leading, managing. I’ve always meant it as: feedback is an opportunity to grow. Which it is.

But a conversation with a friend last week (shoutout to Andy) made me see this a little differently. We were talking about positive feedback, specifically.

When someone gives you positive feedback, consider what it means to them to say it.

Most of us have brushed off kind words at some point. But imagine if feedback were a physical gift. How would it feel if someone offered it and you pushed it back across the table, saying, "Oh, it’s nothing", or "You shouldn’t have"?

A bit awkward, right?

Maybe the best response to positive feedback is the simplest one—to (really) hear it, and say thank you.

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