Feedback Loops for Career Success

Critical feedback is an amazing gift, don't squander it

Acting on critical feedback is one of the most powerful tools for growth. The highest performers I know all use it as a tool to get better, faster. But here’s the catch—most people get it wrong, and instead of growing, they end up stuck. Feedback is powerful, but only if it’s approached the right way. Unfortunately, many people go about it the wrong way.

Complete Avoidance

It’s surprisingly easy to avoid feedback, even if unintentionally. For many, the discomfort of hearing critical insights outweighs the benefits. You tell yourself that "no news is good news" or assume that if there were issues, someone would speak up. 

The reality? Most people won’t offer unsolicited feedback unless prompted, especially at work where they fear being misunderstood or creating tension. Even your manager may not say anything unless you ask. Without critical feedback, i…