Why Feedback is the Breakfast of Champions

As business owners we are usually focused on growth. But sometimes we are so focused on what we are doing that we are blind to the things that are causing our business to go down. This is often because we are not getting feedback, and we don't know why they're leaving or not coming back. That's why we need to embrace the idea that feedback is the breakfast of champion.

The Importance of Framing Constructive Criticism

One of the biggest issues is the way feedback is framed. Simply telling someone their "food was terrible" or their "services was terrible" is too blunt. The person will get defensive, and your message will not land. If the intent of your feedback is to get change and improvement, you have to frame it well. Start by saying something positive, like, "I really think you got something special here," and then offer your feedback as something that can help them. This frames the conversation from the angle of "I'm trying to help you", not "I'm trying to tear you down".

For a more structured approach, we use the Situation, Behavior, and Impact framework. Identify the situation, describe the observed behavior as a fact, not an opinion, and explain the resulting impact. This allows the receiver to digest the feedback better because you are highlighting areas of improvement without being negative.

**A Personal Lesson: Perspective is Reality

I learned a crucial lesson about receiving feedback at work. A superior wanted to give feedback but was unsure how it would be received. I also had feedback for him but was unsure how receptive he would be. I decided to frame mine respectfully, leading with a compliment and then saying there were some opportunities where we could learn as a team.

However, the key learning came from the feedback I received. Even if I didn't agree with the criticism, I understood a fundamental truth: perspective is reality. It does not matter what your intention is; if the way you're being perceived is totally different, that perception is what the other person acts on. To handle this, I didn't just accept the criticism; I took a poll, asking others, "Do I come across like this?". This helped me digest the feedback and get a general viewpoint.

Creating a Culture of Feedback

Whether you are giving feedback or receiving feedback, it must be constructive. For business owners, it is hard to give feedback to employees because they might not receive it well. That is why detailed feedback, especially if it is negative, should be given one-on-one. This empowers your employees and prevents anyone from looking bad in front of their peers.

On the receiving end, you must be open to it. Complacency is the enemy of progress. You need to be intentional about asking for feedback and not be afraid to dig deeper when you get it. If a customer says your new process "sucked", ask them to elaborate on what about it sucked and what suggestions they have. This allows you to find the pain points and go back to the lab to figure it out and tweak it.

In every aspect of your life, business, career, and personal, you need to expand your focus. Feedback is the 360-degree view that shows you all the clutter you're not seeing in your own room. Embrace it, frame it well, and use it to propel your Holistic Growth.

Watch the full episode at https://youtu.be/yjqM3NO2Nk0.