Hi Class of 2015,
I hope the semester has started out well for you. On behalf of the alumni I will share with you that we are extremely jealous that Taco Taco has hit the Trinity campus. Enjoy it!
At this point many of you have accepted leadership positions within organizations on-campus. Leadership is challenging. It provides the opportunity to contribute to your organization while also sharpening your own personal skills. One important aspect of leadership is the role of feedback. Too often we believe that leaders should only give feedback. However, the ability to receive feedback is just, if not more important. It allows us the ability to reflect on our leadership style and make adjustments to be more effective in our role. Below are some tips on both giving and receiving feedback:
Giving:
· Report on specific, observable behavior, rather than on conclusions you draw from the behavior.
· Allow time for clarification. Provide an opportunity for the person to react.
· Consider ‘Why do I want to give this feedback?”
· Be honest, kind and sincere. Assume the other individual has positive intentions.
· Provide examples.
Receiving:
· Do not defend yourself against feedback. It closes your mind to the possibility of change.
· Paraphrase what you hear to check your perceptions.
· Assess the source of the feedback. Is this something you’ve heard before from other sources?
· Ask for solutions or suggestions for change.
· Carefully evaluate the accuracy of the information and its potential value.
I encourage you to try some of these out next time you have conversations with your fellow students or professors. Feedback can be challenging no matter which end you are on. Try to keep some of these in mind next time you find yourself in a feedback conversation.
Jennifer Dewar
Alumni Sponsor
Alumni Sponsor
