Here's how you can harness feedback to enhance and polish your newly acquired skills.

I’ve learned that sometimes you really don’t know what you don’t know. Especially if you are learning a new skill. It’s helpful to ask others how they currently use the new skill you learned or how else they apply that skill in their everyday work. This way you aren’t just learning a new skill but it can be most useful to your team, colleagues or leadership.

Imagine you're trying to buff out a scratch on a cool new skateboard trick. You've landed it a few times, but it's not quite as smooth as you'd like. That's where your friends come in. Instead of just saying, "Hey, what do you think?" be specific. Tell them, "I'm trying to land that kickflip where I pop the board a little higher. Any tips on keeping my balance in the air?" A good friend might point out you're leaning forward too much, or maybe your foot placement is a bit off. Their specific feedback helps you focus on exactly what you need to improve. Seeking input from colleagues is the same idea. You're showing them you're serious about getting better, and they can give you that personalized advice to really make your skills shine.

Imagine feedback as a box of scattered puzzle pieces. Some might seem like gibberish at first, others might fit perfectly into the picture you have of yourself. To reflect deeply is to take all those pieces, even the odd-shaped ones, and sift through them carefully. Ask yourself: how does this piece connect to what I've already learned? Does it challenge my own ideas about how I approach things? Are there similar comments that keep popping up, hinting at a bigger area I need to work on? Reflection is like putting the puzzle together. It takes time, patience, and a willingness to see the bigger picture

Real reflection comes from more than just our heads. We have to get connected with the wisdom in our hearts and bodies as well. What do you notice you feel in response to feedback? Where do you notice it in your body? What does it feel like, look like, sound like, smell like? Full body reflection can help us gain insight from feedback that will allow us to discover new wisdom about ourselves.

A implementação de mudanças baseadas em feedback é essencial para o verdadeiro crescimento. Aproveitar os conselhos recebidos e aplicá-los em situações práticas permite um desenvolvimento mais eficaz das habilidades. Embora possa ser desconfortável inicialmente, a adaptabilidade é uma qualidade indispensável. É fundamental ajustar a abordagem conforme necessário e estar aberto a experimentar diversas estratégias até descobrir o que funciona melhor. Esse processo iterativo é crucial para converter o feedback em resultados concretos, promovendo um aprimoramento contínuo e significativo.

Harness feedback to enhance and polish newly acquired skills. Actively seeking input from colleagues, mentors, or industry peers is key—it shows commitment to growth and allows to receive tailored advice that addresses developmental needs. Reflecting deeply on received feedback helps understand how it aligns with my goals, identifying areas needing attention. Implementing changes based on feedback is where real growth happens; it's uncomfortable but essential. Measuring progress against benchmarks keeps motivated and focused. Staying open-minded ensures you don't miss valuable insights, and iterating often ensures continuous improvement, keeping me competitive in the field.