Can you Handle the Truth

1
Can you Handle the Truth

• AIM-IRS
• Annual Business Meeting and Training Seminar
• Presenters
• Charlie Brantley
• Charlestine D. Hardy
• Julie Garcia
• August 2-4, 2006

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What is Feedback

• Feedback is not criticism Criticism is one
  persons judgment of another person or their
  work. It is often an unprepared reaction to
  people who arent behaving in the manner you want
  them to behave.
• Feedback is structured information that one
  person offers to another about the impact of
  their actions or behavior.
• Feedback is information that is used to make
  adjustments in reaching a goal.
• Feedback is always meant to be positive.
• Its goal is to improve the current situation or
  performance.
• Its goal is never to criticize or offend.

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Why Bother with Feedback

• Everyone likes to know how he or she is doing.
• It provides a reference point.
• Feedback can influence you to do something
  differently or to change your approach.
• It can help you to determine if performance
  expectations are being met.
• Determine if results are being achieved.
• Recognize and reward effort.
• Improve the quality of work.
• Build and maintain relationships.
• It can help you to clarify expectations.

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Barriers to the Feedback Process
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Difficulty giving feedback

• You believe that feedback is negative and
  unhelpful.
• You worry that the other person will not like
  you.
• You believe that the other person cannot handle
  the feedback.
• You had a previous experience in which the
  receiver did not change or was hostile to
  feedback.
• You think it is not worth the risk.

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Difficulty receiving feedback

• You have the urge to rationalize, since the
  feedback can feel uncomfortable.
• You believe that your self-worth is diminished by
  suggestions for improvement.
• You had previous experiences in which feedback
  was unhelpful or unjustified.

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Recognizing Effective Feedback

• It can be formal or informal
• Is timely
• Provides insight into misunderstandings
• Provides guidance
• Is positive (even when it is not good news)
• Checks understanding regularly
• Provides examples of good and bad work
• Provides opportunities for discussion
• Is realistic
• Gives reasons and explanations
• Is given for all assessed work
• Is focused on the individual

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Personal Accountability
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Have you ever heard yourself say any of these?

• My manager does not talk to me
• My manager does not like me. They have it in for
  me.
• My manager does not spend enough time with me to
  know my work.
• My manager interferes too much.
• My manager is too direct
• I do not trust my manager
• My employees just stand around every chance they
  get.
• It's Not My Fault!
• I did not get any training
• It is not my job.

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Personal Accountability

• Work
• Relationships at home
• Relationships at work
• Savings
• Credit

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What do I do to ensure I am Personally
Accountable?

• Be aware - recognize when personal
  accountability is lacking in your life.
• Be wise - listen to feedback openly. Seek
  feedback.
• Be brave - Act on the feedback you receive. Say
  "Okay, I will not depend on others. I'll do what
  it takes to change and improve my own life."

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Personal Accountability

• The process of becoming successful has 3
  important ingredients
• Preparation
• Opportunity
• Attitude

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Anna Quindlen writes in, A Short Guide to a
Happy Life

• you are the only person alive who has sole
  custody of your life. Your particular life.
  Your entire life. Not just your life at the
  desk, or your life on the bus, or in the car, or
  at the computer. Not just the life of your mind,
  but the life of your heart.

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Using Feedback for Professional Growth
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Using Feedback for Professional Growth

• Commitment to personal development, education,
  and training.
• Seek a mentor
• Prepare an IDP
• Have someone review job applications
• Mock interviews
• Dealing with Non-Selection
• Dress professional

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Using Feedback for Professional Growth

• Know your corporate reputation Your Corporate
  Book
• Balance work with personal like
• Ask yourself these 3 questions
• Did you treat everyone with respect?
• Did you make a difference? If not, what am I
  going to do tomorrow to make a difference?
• Did you have fun?

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QUESTIONS?