Your Small Business Needs a Feedback Culture
Constructive criticism is always something of great importance in any business, but it is particularly important when you're starting. Why? Well, as you may know, startup businesses tend to be quite disorganized. Nothing wrong there, it's just a time of figuring out how to do things. However, to make sure collaboration is valid, there needs to be a feedback culture.
Constructive criticism needs to be looked at as something that is of value for business growth, rather than as a personal attack. Building a culture around constructive criticism in your business encourages open and honest communication among your team, leading to higher efficiency. Plus, it can serve as a tool to work on those processes that have particular improvement areas.
Always Aim for Criticism to be Constructive
The line between destructive and constructive criticism can be fragile. It is not uncommon for people to be defensive to feedback. So to ensure that your comments are taken with a positive attitude, always provide positive feedback before negative comments. Try to focus on all the good things that are being done. Then highlight the areas of improvement and work on a plan together, so that the desired results can be achieved. This way, it will be easier for the receiving end to understand it as constructive criticism; as something that will help them and not harm them.
Be Open to Receiving Feedback
When you establish a culture where constructive criticism is encouraged, you will be at the receiving end, at some point. Learning to take criticism is just as important as learning how to give it. Even if the person providing feedback is not great at it, try to focus on the improvement opportunities. That will require you to exercise self-awareness and empathy so that communication can be open and fluid. Take advantage of the moment to brainstorm solutions together.
Be the owner of an independent insurance agency. But beyond that, be a leader who recognizes the value of creating a feedback culture and take the necessary steps to implement it in your business to foster an environment that will lead to business growth.