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career that makes sense

5 ways to get helpful feedback

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2-min read

Receiving helpful feedback is useful for career progression in a world where women are taking up challenging responsibilities in professional and regular jobs. 

Getting valuable feedback can help to build your self− confidence in a demanding work environment. What does it take to be confident?

Here are five ways to get helpful feedback to tune you up for success.

Ask for honest feedback in a friendly way

Not many people take honest feedback kindly, and people around you are aware of this. Most people feel it is better to keep their opinion to themselves than poke the beehive for God knows how many stings they will get. But usually, lack of self− confidence and fear of the unknown make people not want to receive honest feedback from colleagues and individuals around them. To get honest feedback, you need to summon up the courage and ask for it but, when doing that, make it less formal; be friendly when asking.

Admit you are not perfect and ask what you can do for the future

Career progression, admittedly, is an important part of our work life, and it is more about what happens in the future than now. However, you will not be able to create your future without acting now.

When asking for feedback, explain why it would be helpful to you if they could tell you what you can do better going forward and that you appreciate them being honest with you and taking the time to share their genuine feeling.

Ask again until they are open to share, but don’t be pushy

The work environment can be sensitive, and everyone is careful not to take the wrong step. This job environment attitude might get in the way of getting helpful feedback. After you asked for honest feedback the first time, listen to it, act on it and don’t hesitate to ask again after a reasonable period of time.

Let people around you know they are welcome to give you their honest feedback without backlash. Show them more self− confidence and readiness to take in their real and friendly view of your activities and solutions.

If you have just given a presentation at a meeting, ask what you could have added to make your presentation better? Try to get a specific answer because, the more specific the feedback is, the easier it is for you to improve your presentation skills.

Call for anonymous feedback

If you are working in an environment where openly providing feedback is not a natural part of the ways of working, you can ask people to drop it anonymously, even as a note, or they can do it using any means possible to get to you. You can ask for an anonymous feedback face to face or in a meeting where the opinions of those who matter are all present.

Create a comfortable environment when listening to feedback

Prepare yourself to be able to listen to the information, learn as much as you can from it and, in the meantime, show that you are interested in hearing more.

Jot down the points when they are talking and don’t interrupt unless there are specific things you would like to see more clearly for the proper understanding of the feedback. You will experience that the person giving you the feedback will also feel more relaxed sharing their opinions with you.

Whatever position you are working in, receiving helpful feedback is a building block to your success, and you cannot afford to let it slip off your fingers. If you want to get positive feedback, check these 5 Ways how you can use relaxation and visualisation to help advance your career.

 

Cover photo by Amy Hirschi on Unsplash

Decision-making techniques in business

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Decision-making techniques

When you own or run a business, no matter the size, you are required and trusted to make the best decisions for your team. Review the most common decision-making techniques to help you run your business smoother.

Business owners and managers must understand the impact and importance of each decision they make. The results of the wrong or right choices can affect the entire business. It is vital that business owners continue to improve and update their decision-making skill set. Most of the time, the basics of decision making are the same. However, new techniques are evolving every day, having an impact on making significant decisions for your company. Below we have outlined the most common decision-making techniques that professionals use in businesses just like yours!

Collaborative Technique

Also known as group decision making, collaborative decision making is a decision-making technique that works precisely the way it sounds. Decisions are discussed and weighed by a group of people. These people, most often your employees, are chosen either at random or are compiled based on their experiences and knowledge in the company. This decision-making method is one of the most impactful ways to decide, but it is also the most time-consuming.

Consensus-based decision

When something is decided through the collaborative technique, it can happen through reaching a consensus or a non-collaborative decision. The consensus is achieved when all of the parties making a choice come to a common agreement regarding the decision. The above examples have a good outcome if they are reached through unison amongst the parties. 

The advantage of such decision-making is that it’s a win-win for all involved. It’s not about having a win here and be on the losing side elsewhere. The decision has the agreement of all parties because they accept the choice of the group due to it bringing them the value that is in line with their interest.  Nevertheless, not all collaborative decisions will be consensus-based. Some may be ‘dictated’ from upper management levels, and they need to agree, rather than want to fully agree with the decision. 

Command Technique

The command technique is very rare nowadays. You may come across it in the army, or not even there. This decision-making technique is connected to the autocratic leadership style. Through the command technique, leaders make decisions without talking with higher managers or their teams when deciding. This style is standard and often speeds up the decision-making process. Often, this technique works best when you must make a quick, time-sensitive decision.  

This type of decision-making is used, for example, at the time of a merger or acquisition decision when leaders of an organization may not consult with you when making their choice.

Convenience Technique

Some decisions are made out of convenience. The decision-maker may choose to go with the flow or pick the option with less resistance, even opting for the alternative with the least pain. This technique comes in handy, too when the decision-maker wants to gloss over something that they may consider a weakness.  

The convenience technique is a ‘hands-off‘ approach to decision making. This technique can be one of the toughest for business owners and managers. Delegating and trusting another person to make the best decision for your company may be daunting and stressful. However, this decision-making technique also opens up perspectives you had not looked at before. Handing over a decision to someone else on operational matters can empower your team while clearing up time on your schedule. The convenience technique is one of the most difficult methods, yet it is an impactful and rewarding way to make a decision. It has downsides, too, unfortunately. Placing decisions in the hands of an employee may leave you open to not knowing what is happening in your business. This notion could leave you facing trouble when they step out of the company. 

Read the following article on How Do Women Do Business?

Photo by Alexander Schimmeck on Unsplash

8 Questions to ask yourself to know which career fits

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which career fits for you? Choosing a career is one of the most important decisions we make in our lives. This is because the job we select will have a great impact on everything, both present and future. 

This includes our own health, lifestyle and interactions with family. Your job also becomes part of your identity so, in a way, you are choosing who you want to be when you are selecting a career. You want to make sure your choice reflects you and fits your personality. To get good knowledge on your personality type, check How different personality types can help you be more successful. The good news is that you can start with some soul− searching plus research to help you gain clarity on what you want. This article will focus on the questions you can ask yourself to help you make the big decision.

What are your interests?

Do you prefer working with numbers and data, people, abstract ideas, or a combination of some sort? What subjects are you most interested in? Which books do you read? Where do you spend most of your time? Do you like to work indoors or outdoors? Such questions are aimed at understanding your interests. These are the people, things and the information that you enjoy most. It is proven that people tend to gravitate around their interests and, if you can find a way of incorporating the same in your career, then you will be doing what you love. There is no doubt that those who enjoy what they do feel more fulfilled in their jobs. There are aptitude tests available that you can take that can help you sort out the kind of career that will suit you best.

Determine what your values are and consider them

Values are your principles and standards; the things that you consider important in your life. Your career satisfaction also depends on your values and how your values and the job environment relates and, as such, it is important to take your time to consider them when trying to find a job that fits. If you value finances, find a job that pays well. If you love spontaneity and fun, then a desk job may not be the right choice for you. Also, if you love children then maybe teaching is a good route to take. While some jobs will require teamwork, others promote independent contributions from employees. Be sure to have well− defined values and find a job where you will be able to find satisfaction working every day.

What is your personality?

It is prudent to consider your personality traits when making a career choice. Try to relate to the career you want to pursue and try to choose a position that suits your personality. Think about your personality by asking yourself the following questions: are you an extrovert or an introvert? Would you rather lead other people, help other people, or not work with other people at all? Do you like abstract thinking or do you prefer to work with concrete concepts or materials? If you choose a career that fits with your innate personality, you will find greater enjoyment at work. To erase your concerns click here.

What skills do you possess?

Try making a list of all your skills. Now make a list of skills you perform poorly at or dislike. You can use these lists to help you find a career that can utilise your skillset. Avoid career choices that involve those tasks you dislike or cannot do effectively. If you are confident in your ability to complete your job duties, you will have more confidence and more job satisfaction.

What are your strengths and talents?

There is a relationship between your talents and your strengths. Strength is your ability to provide high performance in a specific activity consistently. Talents are naturally recurring thoughts, feelings or behaviours you can productively apply. Talent, knowledge and your skills, along with the time you spend on practising, developing your skills and building your knowledge, serve to create your strengths. Look at careers that utilise your strengths.

What training do you need?

You might have already decided a specific career path that you would like to take. Your next step will be to identify the kind of education or training you will require. It could include additional schooling, licensing, or getting a certification of some sort before you can legally work in the field you have selected. Think about the amount of time it will take for you to finish the training and the money you will have to invest in it as well.

What are your financial needs?

While it is not smart to look at the salary you want to earn as the first thing to consider when choosing a career, it should be one of the factors. The high paying jobs usually require a lot more education or experience, it takes time to get them and, in most cases, the opportunities may be limited. If you want to make a lot of money, be ready to do what it takes. Other careers may have fewer financial rewards but, based on your personality, skills and interests, they may be more suitable for you. Planning will help you make informed decisions and avert future regrets.

What is the availability of the jobs?

The fact that you would like to pursue a given career is not enough to make you go for it. Ask yourself if there are jobs available in your region or if you are ready to move for the suitable job. You can do this by researching the labour market both locally and internationally. Some may argue that the job market should not be a factor to consider, but nobody wants to spend years of schooling only to find out that the profession you have been focussed on is outdated or lacks opportunities.

Knowing which career fits to you is not simple. It is a decision that will affect you for the rest of your life. Consider your options carefully. Determine your strengths and weaknesses. Choose something that you will be good at and something that will make you happy at the same time.

Cover photo by Zach Lucero on Unsplash