AI-powered
podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Receiving feedback effectively is crucial for personal growth and learning. Often, our initial reaction is to focus on what's wrong with the feedback and dismiss it. However, understanding and considering the feedback without immediately rejecting it can be valuable. One way to approach this is by using the "phone a friend" technique. This involves reaching out to a trusted friend who can serve as a supportive mirror. They can help us see what might be wrong with the feedback, allowing us to process our emotions and feel better. Then, when we're ready, they can become an honest mirror, helping us see what might be right about the feedback and providing constructive insights. By seeking different perspectives and considering the feedback more objectively, we can learn and grow from it.
Summarizing feedback is often challenging because we tend to focus on what's wrong with it. Our natural inclination is to spot the flaws, question the source, or misinterpret the intentions behind the feedback. However, this tendency can hinder personal growth and prevent us from learning. It's important to remember that feedback can be valuable even if it's not completely accurate or aligned with our perspective. By carefully considering the feedback, separating what's helpful from what's not, and seeking input from trusted individuals who can provide diverse insights, we can better understand the value and potential learnings in the feedback we receive.
Clear communication is essential for effective feedback. When requesting feedback, it's important to articulate our specific needs and intentions to avoid ambiguity and obtain helpful insights. Similarly, when giving feedback, providing clarity on the purpose and expectations can ensure the receiver understands the feedback's intent and can make the necessary improvements. By improving the clarity and specificity of our feedback exchanges, we can enhance the overall effectiveness of the feedback process and facilitate meaningful growth and development.
Navigating difficult conversations in dating can be challenging, as initial interactions often present a skewed representation of ourselves. To gain a clearer understanding of how someone handles conflict or difficult situations, it can be beneficial to incorporate more authentic experiences early on. This could involve intentionally creating scenarios that reveal how individuals respond under stress or engaging in activities that elicit candid conversations. By designing interactions that foster genuine communication, individuals can better assess compatibility and make more informed dating decisions.
Creating a feedback culture starts with having conversations about how the individual prefers to receive feedback. This includes discussing what makes them feel appreciated and understanding their preferences in terms of timing, format, and specific feedback they find valuable. Having this clarity allows for more effective feedback interactions and reduces defensiveness.
To foster a culture of feedback, it is important to also become a good receiver of feedback. This means actively seeking feedback from others and assuming a mindset of continuous improvement. By soliciting feedback and being open to receiving it, leaders can create a safe and trusting environment where feedback flows in both directions.
An effective way to elicit feedback is by asking for one specific thing. This reduces the perceived risk associated with giving feedback and provides a focused opportunity for improvement. Asking questions such as 'What's one thing I could do differently?' or 'What's one area where I could improve?' encourages individuals to provide constructive feedback and enables meaningful growth.
Setting boundaries in a relationship is crucial to its longevity and well-being. Couples that have staying power establish implicit rules about conflict and avoid unnecessary hurtful behavior. Both partners need to understand and respect each other's boundaries, refraining from actions that could have a detrimental effect on the relationship. This includes avoiding sharp elbows, vindictiveness, and aggressive talk about past relationships. The ability to communicate effectively and listen attentively is also important, preventing conversations from going in circles and becoming exhausting. By establishing and abiding by boundaries, couples can create a stronger and more harmonious partnership.
Giving and receiving feedback is an essential skill that can greatly enhance personal growth and learning. Being open to receiving feedback helps individuals identify areas of improvement and gives them the opportunity to make constructive changes. It is important to approach feedback with a mindset of curiosity and a willingness to learn, regardless of the source or expertise of the giver. The ability to ask specific and well-thought-out questions can aid in eliciting helpful feedback. Additionally, establishing boundaries and understanding implicit rules about conflict can contribute to successful feedback exchanges. Embracing a growth mindset and constantly seeking feedback can lead to continuous improvement in all areas of life.
Brought to you by Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega fish oil, Helix Sleep premium mattresses, and ShipStation shipping software.
Sheila Heen has spent the last three decades working to understand how people can better navigate conflict, with a particular specialty in difficult conversations.
She is a founder of Triad Consulting Group, a professor at Harvard Law School, and a co-author of Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well (even when it’s off base, unfair, poorly delivered, and, frankly, you’re not in the mood), with Douglas Stone, and Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most, with Douglas Stone and Bruce Patton (with a newly updated third edition that was released in August).
Sheila and her colleagues at Triad work with leaders and organizations to build their capacity to have the conversations that matter most. Her clients have included Pixar, American Express, the NBA, the Singapore Supreme Court, the Obama White House, and theologians struggling with the nature of truth and God.
She is schooled in negotiation daily by her three children. You can find my first conversation with Sheila at tim.blog/SheilaHeen.
Please enjoy!
This episode is brought to you by Nordic Naturals, the #1-selling fish-oil brand in the US! More than 80% of Americans don’t get enough omega-3 fats from their diet. That is a problem because the body can’t produce omega-3s, an important nutrient for cell structure and function. Nordic Naturals solves that problem with their doctor-recommended Ultimate Omega fish-oil formula for heart health, brain function, immune support, and more. Ultimate Omega is made exclusively from 100% wild-caught sardines and anchovies. It’s incredibly pure and fresh with no fishy aftertaste. All Nordic Naturals’ fish-oil products are offered in the triglyceride molecular form—the form naturally found in fish, and the form your body most easily absorbs.
Go to Nordic.com and discover why Nordic Naturals is the #1-selling omega-3 brand in the U.S. Use promo code TIM for 20% off your order of Ultimate Omega.
*
This episode is also brought to you by ShipStation. Do you sell stuff online? Then you know what a pain the shipping process is. ShipStation was created to make your life easier. Whether you’re selling on eBay, Amazon, Shopify, or over 100 other popular selling channels, ShipStation lets you access all of your orders from one simple dashboard, and it works with all of the major shipping carriers, locally and globally, including FedEx, UPS, and USPS.
Join the 130,000+ companies that have grown their ecommerce businesses with ShipStation. Tim Ferriss Show listeners get to try ShipStation free for 60 days! Just visit ShipStation.com/Tim!
*
This episode is also brought to you by Helix Sleep! Helix was selected as the best overall mattress of 2022 by GQ magazine, Wired, and Apartment Therapy. With Helix, there’s a specific mattress to meet each and every body’s unique comfort needs. Just take their quiz—only two minutes to complete—that matches your body type and sleep preferences to the perfect mattress for you. They have a 10-year warranty, and you get to try it out for a hundred nights, risk-free. They’ll even pick it up from you if you don’t love it. And now, Helix is offering 20% off all mattress orders plus two free pillows at HelixSleep.com/Tim.
*
[07:01] Conversations are the relationship.
[08:12] How should we talk about feedback?
[11:16] De-escalating the ask.
[13:30] Addressing victim-blaming feedback for the new edition of Difficult Conversations.
[28:48] How I’ve dealt with reader (and proofreader) feedback.
[41:18] Making use of the three types of feedback.
[49:05] Received difficult feedback? Phone a friend.
[54:36] Discovering a good/bad match early in the dating game.
[00:59:30] How I’ve traditionally handled conflict and stress.
[1:07:50] The conundrum of feedback’s source.
[1:09:03] Three triggered reactions to feedback.
[1:12:09] The you plus me combination.
[1:20:16] What does resolution look like?
[1:22:52] The Gottman Institute.
[1:29:35] Coping with a relationship’s unresolvable frictions.
[1:33:41] The courtship of Sheila’s sister.
[1:37:11] A thirst for vindictiveness and other deal breakers.
[1:43:31] Learning from the comfort of our strengths.
[1:45:43] Perspective from three positions.
[1:47:09] How to extend positive reinforcement.
[1:51:26] Giving feedback without starting a fight.
[1:55:12] Asking “one thing” questions as a leader.
[1:57:43] Are you aware of your need to receive feedback?
[2:02:13] Parting thoughts.
*
For show notes and past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast.
For deals from sponsors of The Tim Ferriss Show, please visit tim.blog/podcast-sponsors
Sign up for Tim’s email newsletter (5-Bullet Friday) at tim.blog/friday.
For transcripts of episodes, go to tim.blog/transcripts.
Discover Tim’s books: tim.blog/books.
Follow Tim:
Twitter: twitter.com/tferriss
Instagram: instagram.com/timferriss
YouTube: youtube.com/timferriss
Facebook: facebook.com/timferriss
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timferriss
Past guests on The Tim Ferriss Show include Jerry Seinfeld, Hugh Jackman, Dr. Jane Goodall, LeBron James, Kevin Hart, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jamie Foxx, Matthew McConaughey, Esther Perel, Elizabeth Gilbert, Terry Crews, Sia, Yuval Noah Harari, Malcolm Gladwell, Madeleine Albright, Cheryl Strayed, Jim Collins, Mary Karr, Maria Popova, Sam Harris, Michael Phelps, Bob Iger, Edward Norton, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Neil Strauss, Ken Burns, Maria Sharapova, Marc Andreessen, Neil Gaiman, Neil de Grasse Tyson, Jocko Willink, Daniel Ek, Kelly Slater, Dr. Peter Attia, Seth Godin, Howard Marks, Dr. Brené Brown, Eric Schmidt, Michael Lewis, Joe Gebbia, Michael Pollan, Dr. Jordan Peterson, Vince Vaughn, Brian Koppelman, Ramit Sethi, Dax Shepard, Tony Robbins, Jim Dethmer, Dan Harris, Ray Dalio, Naval Ravikant, Vitalik Buterin, Elizabeth Lesser, Amanda Palmer, Katie Haun, Sir Richard Branson, Chuck Palahniuk, Arianna Huffington, Reid Hoffman, Bill Burr, Whitney Cummings, Rick Rubin, Dr. Vivek Murthy, Darren Aronofsky, Margaret Atwood, Mark Zuckerberg, Peter Thiel, Dr. Gabor Maté, Anne Lamott, Sarah Silverman, Dr. Andrew Huberman, and many more.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode