Continuous Improvement ("Getting Better at Getting Better") is
what truly drives perfecting relationships. Great leaders,
business people, students, service people, parents, children, significant
others, artists, athletes, friends, whomever they may be, it is
feedback that drives the process of continuous improvement. NYC's former
mayor Ed Koch used to walk the streets of the city and ask
citizens, "How am I doing?" Questioning
others for their feedback is how we all "get better at getting
better". If we listen to feedback and learn, react to
it and respond, make adjustments or change as a result of it, we
will all get better at our relationships.
Here's
a very simple, uncomplicated approach to gathering
feedback:
Ask the person with whom you are in a
relationship two very simple and straightforward questions:
- “I want to make sure my interactions with you meet, or better
yet, exceed your expectations. So, please tell me three aspects you like
most about my approach to our relationship.”
- “Also, please tell me three things I need to do better in order
to improve my approach to the relationship.”
I promise you; the
first time you ask these questions, the other person will likely appear dazed,
nervous, suspicious, or confused. Why? It is because people are
rarely, if ever, asked these questions by the people with whom they are in
relationships. They will be taken aback. But their initial
discomfort will ease, and your reward will be a wealth of invaluable information
about improving that relationship.
In serving
customers and client use the same approach...Clip this and
retain.
Happy New Year
