Many of us have heard the phrase: “Don’t get mad. Get even.” Even though ‘getting even’ may make you feel good, it rarely gets you where you need to go.
There is a better way.
In today’s complex and often ambiguous workplace, the greatest gift you can give yourself is taking the time to offer constructive and meaningful feedback to a colleague.
How can this be? Because when feedback to colleagues is done right, it makes your job easier.
Think about it. One of the hardest aspects of work is figuring out what you are doing well and where you need to improve. Part of the reason for this is that there are so many people doing so many different but related things, it’s sometimes hard to figure out who is doing what, who you can go to for help with your work, and how you can help someone else do their part faster and better.
Now imagine that you are the one helping everyone else do their part better and that you help them do these things in ways that help make your job easier, even as you help them do better with their work.
Eventually, everyone is working for you, and, at the same time, you are working for them.
Think about it. If you want to be better, don’t get mad. Give better feedback!
And remember to give them feedback that makes your job easier.
