Reality TV has bounced back, gone are the days of sitting watching other people go about their daily life in shows such as Big Brother. Instead we are now addicted to the new wave of reality TV with people raising the bar, the underdog learning new skills and being mentored to achieve huge heights of success.
So you think you can dance? Well you can with the training and development of one of the country’s best dancers. Are you a Masterchef? Indeed with the help of feedback and mentoring by world-renowned chefs and food critics.
Part of the success of these shows and of the winners, is the focus on feedback from the mentors in the show. Yes – it is difficult to point out the flaws in the individual’s performance and no – I am sure you would rather not be filmed receiving such criticism but when the feedback is taken on board and digested then it appears you really can have it all.
So whether you are looking for a new job, receiving feedback from your recruiter or you are in your performance review at work; feedback is a crucial step in evolving and reaching new levels of success.
You do need to be able to not take it personally. Here’s a quick guide to how:
- Remember you are receiving feedback about your performance to help you develop.
- Try to remove the emotion from any comments and look for the positive not the negative.
- Consider how you may be able to build on the feedback, what can you take away to help you?
- As well as receive the feedback, utilise the expert’s advice, ask -what would they do to improve/develop?
- Consider this – giving feedback can be tough too; the person delivering hopefully has your best interests at heart.
So next time you are on your own stage under the spotlight and you feel your cheeks reddening, your heartbeat racing and your spirits dampened, remember that the feedback you are about to receive is delivered to help you move forward.
It could soon be you dishing out the feedback to help others.
(Image 
Eric McGregor)
