In a world where staying relevant and up-to-date often feels like running on a treadmill, feedback remains one of the most powerful tools to help professionals get up and running. Whether perfecting a skill, managing a project, or leading a professional team, feedback fuels growth and development in every individual out there. It is perhaps noteworthy how these vital individual development tools are often overlooked and avoided rather than seen as a driver for human capital development.
At the core, feedback is a mirror for every individual to reflect on progress and long-term goals, allowing one to adjust course as needed to align oneself with long-term milestones. Feedback is not a one-off event but rather a looped system that is intended to cycle an individual through trying, learning, improving, and trying again. The process is often subtle; however, in the journey of every master, it is an essential tool that is evident.
The data backs up this claim. Employees receiving daily feedback are three times more engaged than those who only get an annual review. Why? Because feedback aligns with and drives us to our professional goals. It shows us where we're headed and builds trust with the people helping us get there. Feedback is not only about fixing mistakes, but it's also about creating a culture of openness, collaboration, and growth.
Feedback is most effective when it's instantaneous and practical. A suggestion from a colleague on how to approach a task differently can save hours of frustration. Peers, especially those who work closely with us, can see what we often overlook. It's no surprise that 96 per cent of employees value regular feedback.
Creating a feedback culture doesn't happen overnight. It starts with something simple, asking for input on a specific task. For example, you are working on a presentation and choose to invite a colleague to weigh in on its clarity, structure, and effectiveness. This shows you are open to learning by focusing on growth instead of flaws.
Let us not forget that feedback should always be a two-way street. When constructive feedback is exchanged, it creates a sense of mutual respect and trust among peers and colleagues. Imagine a teammate struggling with something you've already tackled. Sharing your experience and working for you in the past helps them and reinforces the idea that growth is a shared journey. When feedback flows in both directions, the act becomes a collaboration rather than criticism and judgment.
If feedback loops are to be practised, ensuring a safe space for all to thrive is essential. No one wants to speak up if they feel judged or attacked. Instead, feedback should feel supportive, encouraging and empowering. For example, if a teammate constantly misses deadlines, offering them time management tips you've found useful can open up a constructive conversation. The goal is to improve together as a team and not assign blame.
The benefits of a feedback culture extend far beyond individual growth and expand to teams and organisations. Teams that embrace regular feedback tend to possess more cohesion. As a result, projects run more smoothly, and performance improves. This is not a mere theory, as 80 per cent of employees prefer immediate feedback over receiving only annual reviews. Feedback helps them stay on track, especially when done consistently and made actionable and practical.
In Bangladesh, workplaces are expanding and becoming more dynamic. Feedback could be a game-changer in the rapidly evolving work environment. As industries evolve and competition grows, the ability to give and receive feedback will become an indispensable skill. By incorporating feedback into our daily work lives, we can create environments where every professional at every level of experience thrives.
Effective feedback loop systems and environments transform every conversation, critique, and suggestion into an opportunity to grow every talent around us. In our ever-changing world, where constant change and growth are inevitable through adaptations, there's no extraordinary tool other than feedback.
As we chase our goals, it's worth remembering that we don't achieve growth alone. It's a shared journey enriched by the people around us. When we embrace feedback loops, we create more than success stories-we build communities of trust and collaboration. By helping others improve, we improve ourselves. Together, we move closer to mastery, one loop at a time.
The writer is the CEO and founder, Casper Academy.
[email protected]
