SWOT is a management tool that allows the effective
management of change. The acronym stands
for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. It incorporates negative feedback, or constructive
criticism, into its concept, permitting its users to become self-aware. This self-reflection then lets individuals
and teams auto correct, keeping on an effective path. This is a concept Smith and Berg describe in
their discussion of the paradox of engaging within a group. Negative feedback is a good thing. Ask any health professional! The neurohormonal functions of the human body
often rely on negative feedback mechanisms to auto correct what would otherwise
become devastating sequela. Imagine what
would happen if the pituitary gland never told the thyroid to stop making
thyroid hormone!
Contemplating our weaknesses is not an easy task. Allowing others to help us nurture our
observing ego is even harder. Yet, it is
a skill well worth developing. Being
able to objectively listen to criticism, embrace that feedback, and adjust our
strategy will help us to stay on the right path. Whether personal or collective learning we
all could benefit greatly from the adoption of SWOT. However, it initially demands a venue of
safety. We need to be able to trust
those giving us negative feedback. We
must have a foundation of acceptance and genuine disclosure. For if we do not have authenticity within
that relationship, the criticism is seen as only that…critical. Learning to listen to others helps us to
understand ourselves. Understanding this
is easy…right? Now all we have to do is
utilize the negative feedback given as a constructive way to change and not a personal
attack. Not so easy peasy.
I would have to agree that I only really ever learn and grow from negative feedback. The good stuff is encouraging, but unless I know what I need to fix (and how), I am doomed to repeat the same mistakes.
ReplyDeleteWe must be willing to see things as they ARE, rather than as we hope, wish or EXPECT them to be.
I also agree that negative feedback can promote self-reflection and growth but I think there has to be a balance between positive and negative. It is all too common that people tiptoe around the negative... unless there is a structured method like Linda explained-the SWOT tool. When a managment tool is used in the workplace, I would think feedback would be more accepted than if one person simply critiques another. A system or tool like SWOT doesn't appear as arbitrary and provides both negative and positive feedback. If feedback is only negative, then people turn defensive and it isn't really constructive.
ReplyDeleteFeedback also lends itself to Johari's Window and how open people really are to listen, learn and take action.