Handling hard truths as a leader

A RECENT high-profile televised debate between two globally recognisable individuals running for high office set me thinking about leaders and the importance of receiving good feedback.

In any organisation, feedback is a critical tool for growth and development. For leaders, this is especially true. Candid and objective feedback can help leaders identify strengths and areas for improvement, enhance their decision-making skills, and improve overall team and organisational performance. Despite its importance, leaders often miss out on receiving this valuable input due to their position: The higher one goes, the more one risks being disconnected from the ground of reality.

Reflections and reality

We all know that feedback provides an external perspective, offering insights that one might otherwise overlook or be unaware of. The Centre for Creative Leadership makes the point that feedback helps leaders understand how their actions affect others, thereby improving their effectiveness. Receiving feedback can also enhance a leader’s emotional intelligence – a key leadership trait. A study from the University of California, Berkeley, found that leaders who seek and respond to feedback have higher emotional intelligence, which is linked to better team performance.