NLP At Work : The Difference That Makes the Difference in Business

The sense of recognition of what is similar creates an

unspoken connection. This allows for an openness of feedback

that might not otherwise be possible. From this belief flows

the skill of giving and receiving feedback outlined below.

“Feedback isn’t absolute truth but it is truth for the person who

is delivering it.”

Gene Early

I put the skill of receiving feedback first as I have found that to

give it we need first of all to be able to receive it. Your ability

to receive feedback is central to continuous learning and

growth, as well as being key to healthy, sustainable

relationships, both in business and in life.

What can you do to model excellence in the way you

receive feedback?

❏ Get yourself into a resourceful state for receiving the

feedback. Anchor a state that has worked well for you in this

way in the past. The state could be one of learning, for

example, or one of openness, self-confidence, humility, or

curiosity.

❏ Remind yourself of the beliefs above.

❏ Respond in a way that presupposes acceptance, saying

things like “In what ways do I do this?” “What effect does

this have on you?” (Use present tense language.)

❏ Always anticipate feedback and always invite it when

appropriate so that feedback is in constant supply to you.

Every employee in Cisco Systems has an open feedback form

online to everyone else in the company. Anyone can add

feedback to this form whenever they choose so that each has a

continuous supply of current feedback from anyone in the

company.

❏ If the feedback is personally challenging and you find it

potentially uncomfortable to take it on board, then

342 NLP AT WORK

Receiving feedback