A thriving feedback culture is built on growth, not judgment. Reframing feedback as a tool for personal and collective development enables organisations, such as those using My360Goals, to continually ignite improvement and deeper engagement at every level.
The Problem With Judgmental Feedback
Traditional feedback often resembles judgment, a spotlight on shortcomings, delivered as criticism that can discourage and cause defensiveness. When feedback feels like judgment, employees may withdraw, withhold ideas, or avoid feedback cycles, limiting participation and trust.
The Growth Mindset: A New Foundation
A culture of growth cultivates feedback as a chance to learn. Adopting a growth mindset fosters the belief that abilities and skills can improve over time, transforming feedback into actionable and empowering information. This approach highlights strengths and opportunities together and encourages everyone into an ongoing process of development. Constructive, motivational questions and a focus on process, rather than results, help build engagement and turn feedback into everyday, empowering conversation.
Practical Steps to Enable a Feedback Culture
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Foster feedback as developmental, not evaluative, focus on observable behaviors, not personal traits.
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Balance observations: celebrate strengths and address growth areas in each exchange.
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Empower anonymous multi-rater processes (like My360Goals) to promote open dialogue and diminish fear of judgment, building team trust.
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Equip leaders to nurture curiosity and thankfulness, modeling vulnerability and resilience in giving and receiving feedback.
Real-World Growth Mindset Feedback Examples
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After a project misses its targets, the manager gathers the team to analyse what went wrong, brainstorm solutions, and frame the setback as a learning opportunity, cultivating continuous improvement.
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An employee receives constructive criticism and responds by seeking clarification, outlining a plan for development, and viewing the feedback as a positive chance to grow, not a personal attack.
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Managers notice a skill gap within the team and set up a “buddy system” to enable shared learning and support, promoting a collaborative environment where everyone can foster growth together.
Creating and Sustaining Change
For My360Goals users, feedback is a living dialogue, not a tick-box exercise. By shifting language, intentions, and systems toward growth, organisations empower participation, strengthen performance, and heighten morale. Feedback doesn’t have to sting: when reframed, it becomes the spark for confident, collaborative progress.
