When you really want to know if you’re doing something right, the best course is to ask. Asking for feedback is always a great way to critique how you’re doing and make sure you are meeting your personal goals and expectations. So why not ask for feedback about your communication?
Whether you are in leadership or simply want to better communicate with your family, knowing the impact you are having can help. You may or may not be communicating as effectively as you’d like so it’s a good thing to find out.
There are a lot of ways to get high-quality feedback about your communication style. Take a look-
Ask for feedback directly– If you are curious about your communication style, simply ask. You can ask for a meeting with your supervisor or team to discuss their thoughts, or you can have a casual conversation with your family to get their feedback. Ask open ended questions that allow them to share their experience with you and be sure to ask for any way you can improve your communication style.
Join the club- Toastmasters is an international non-profit designed to train effective communication, speaking, and leadership skills. Your local area may also offer a public speakers club or organization. These types of clubs and organizations have specialized programs to help people become better, healthier, and more effective communicators which includes robust feedback.
Ask for a rating- When you engage with someone and want their feedback, it can be as easy as asking for a rating from 1-10. Asking someone for their ranking after your time together can give you immediate feedback about their experience. If the ranking is low, inquire how you could have done a better job. If it’s high, give yourself a pat on the back!
Once you’ve gotten some feedback, it’s time to evaluate. Pay close attention to feedback that is consistent. If more than one person offers similar feedback, it’s important to pay close attention. Use their comments to help you find solutions to your communication pitfalls and build up your skill sets.
Did you know? You can also offer feedback to others that will help them become healthier and more effective communicators. If you are in a leadership role, build in feedback as part of your routine evaluations. For your family, be a role model and ask for feedback and encourage them to seek feedback too. It will help everyone become better communicators.
