Hello from InSight! We hope you enjoy our November issue
The Gift of Honest Feedback          

As we approach the holiday season, I've been seeing a lot of advertisements about gifts and giving thanks. This got me to thinking about gifts in leadership. I've learned that true and honest constructive feedback is a rare and important gift. Leaders absolutely need feedback to learn and grow, especially as they move up the proverbial ladder.   Some of my own best learning experiences came from coaching and honest, respectful feedback. One of the best ways to receive this type of feedback in a formal way is through a multi-rater assessment, also called a 360. Here are some tips on utilizing multi-rater assessments.

Utilize a broad set of evaluators: While it is tempting to only select evaluators that you think will write all positive comments, what value does that bring to your growth and development?  Obtaining feedback from people who see things differently than us can create invaluable insights.

Respect confidentiality: Most of the time people are much more comfortable giving all types of feedback confidentially. Most multi-rater tools are designed to ensure the feedback received is confidential generally organized by level (boss, peers, subordinates, customers). Respect your evaluators' privacy and don't try to guess who wrote which comment. You will usually be wrong and what good is this serving anyone?

Thank people for their time: It takes time and energy to give honest feedback. Be sure to authentically thank people for taking the time to be part of your growth and development.

Let people know what you intend to work on: People will feel empowered knowing their feedback meant something to you. Let the group of requested evaluators know the areas you will be working on strengthening and developing.

Refrain from getting defensive: Honest feedback can be just as difficult to give as it is to receive. Even if you don't agree with a comment, accept that it is the honest feedback from another and simply seek to understand. A person will likely never give feedback again if you become defensive and remember honest feedback is truly a gift.

Ensure follow-up and action planning: A multi-rater tool is only as valuable as what we do with it. It takes time (at least 4-6 months) for people to adjust and change behaviors, even improving on strengths. Be sure to develop an action plan and have a partner or a formal coach to help you stay accountable. Additionally, check-in formally or informally 6-12 months later to learn the progress you've made.
Holiday Events/Special Programs
Holiday Volunteering: Are you looking for a holiday volunteer activity where you can be of service to the community and meet some amazing people?  Mile High United Way is organizing a community volunteer event on December 11th.  Click here  or call Desta at 303-561-2332 for more information on baking cookies, bringing toys, leading a team, face painting, etc.

InSight and our strategic partners offer a variety of special programs for your team, organization or professional association.  A few samples are below.

The Inside Out - A Whole Approach for Developing Today's Leaders for Tomorrow's Future. Today, more than ever, we need leaders with a different set of talents to revive the cultures of the corporate workplace.  This course will help you:
1) Discover the leader in you - identifying your authentic style, your strengths and values and making these inherent in the way you work every day. 
2) Lead through change - providing you with new skills to lead through transformations effectively and realize the results of your efforts faster.
3) Re-energize your teams and create collaboration across complex organizations - leadership and communication skills with impact. 
4) Bring creativity back into the workplace - building an environment of innovation and positive focus.

We are partnering with Szyzgy Consulting & Coaching to offer this unique and impactful program.
 
Emotional Intelligence & Yoga: An Exploration in Awareness. Emotional intelligence accounts for 80% of our success in work and life. We utilize yoga movement and theory to understand and learn how to improve our own emotional intelligence (EI). In this fast paced digital world, these skills are becoming more imperative to keep leaders and employees energized and engaged. InSight partners with The Iyengar Yoga Center's Lisa Wolf for this great program.  No yoga experience required!

The ART in Business: Enhancing Creativity for Breakthrough Results.  Creativity in the workplace is more critical than ever and yet, accessing the creative state is challenging for many. We partner with renowned artist and teacher Chuck Ceraso for this inspirational course.

Please email info@insight-cc.com for more information on attending one of these programs or bringing it to your organization.
About InSight
We are a results-oriented coaching and consulting firm dedicated to helping you gain insight into you, your team and your organization. 
 
Our Focus:  We provide depth and breadth of experience in executive coaching, change leadership and developing clear strategies that employees can understand and leaders can deliver. We also offer specialty workshops, facilitation, off-sites and leadership development programs.

Not in Denver? That is okay. The nature of our work permits teleconferencing, video conferencing and some travel. 
 
We always appreciate your referral!
In This Issue
The Gift of Honest Feedback
Holiday Events & Other Special Programs
About InSight

 

 
"Feedback is the breakfast of champions."

-Ken Blanchard


 
 
 
Renelle Darr
InSight Coaching & Consulting  
www.insight-cc.com | 303-204-0726 
 fb twitter