Weekly Mix #271 - 5 things most people don't understand about feedback

Feedback, Climbing The Wrong Hill, Buying Homes With Friends, Book Recommendations & Consistency

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Happy Monday!

Feedback is hard to come by and under-utilized by most companies and people.

But if used well, it's one of the most powerful tools for improvement.

Here are 5 things I've learned about feedback:

Giving feedback is a skill: Most people are uncomfortable giving feedback. That's partly because we imagine the worst reaction of those receiving, but it's also because we aren't taught how to give feedback well. It's a skill that can be developed quickly.

Receiving feedback is a skill: Giving feedback is hard because we imagine the worst-case scenario for how it's received—and sometimes that comes true. Like giving feedback, receiving feedback is a skill that isn't taught, but it is one that you can develop fast.

The highest performers take feedback well: Those that have reached a level of success, or will become successful, are better at taking feedback. Even if they don't appear to take it well in the moment, they factor it in and improve later.

Culture can compromise feedback: In friendly cultures, feedback has to be cultivated, otherwise people won't give it often for fear of hurting relationships. Likewise, in cultures that prioritize feedback, you must emphasize that you're on the same team.

Many people don't want feedback: Many people can't be bothered to improve. That's okay, but be cognizant of which role you want those people to fill, and if the culture supports that at all.

Have a great week!

Graham

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Links

📖 Climbing the Wrong Hill - Chris Dixon - This short read is a great reminder for those who are making decisions about their careers or long-term goals.

"People early in their career should learn from computer science: meander some in your walk (especially early on), randomly drop yourself into new parts of the terrain, and when you find the highest hill, don’t waste any more time on the current hill no matter how much better the next step up might appear."

📖 The Case for Buying a House With Friends - Julie Beck - The Atlantic - I'm not sure I'd definitely want to buy and live in a shared house with friends, but the idea of setting up your life to live much closer to your friends is one I've thought about for a long time. Co-living is another variation of this.

In all cases, I think there's a major advantage to being near your friends, sharing more social time, more responsibilities, more expenses. It's something we used to do as a society but don't really do any more (often to the extreme, with parents and close family living in different cities or countries).

This piece is an interview with 4 friends who did end up buying a house together, and (seem to) have made it work.

🔧 Kapsul collar - Having played hockey and had several concussions, and now surfing, the idea of a neck-support collar is one that seems like a no-brainer.

Kapsul is doing just that, making undershirts that include a neck support for both men and women for a wide range of sports.

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Graham Mann-->

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@grahamkmann

8 books that every digital worker should read: pic.twitter.com/NpWwKbN7xM

May 3rd 2023

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