Feedback is a gift

Feedback is a gift. Or it is like a gift in many ways. Or at least 10.

My Auntie Rosie was the worst gift giver in our family – and also brought the most joy. Watching my cousin pretend to be delighted at receiving an electric lemon squeezer as a present for getting into University was a special moment.

Likewise I appreciated the selection of Postman Pat books I received when I was 16.

Anyway, I digress… This is how feedback is like a gift

• Sometimes someone gives it to you and you think ‘Pants, now I have to do the same for you and I didn’t think we were that close’
• Sometimes someone gets it just right and it is a really pleasant surprise
• Sometimes the wrapping is awful but it is still a really good gift. Sometimes the wrapping is brilliant, but the contents…
• Sometimes you think ‘You’ve known me years and that’s what you thought I’d like? Wow’
• Sometimes it is obviously regifted and just what they had left spare in a drawer
• Sometimes the thought that has gone into it is really clear and that makes the gift more valuable
• Sometimes the person giving the gift looks at you like you should be really impressed – and internally you are just doing a confused shrug
• Sometimes it’s like being given deodorant. You understand it is useful but you think… Hey, are you trying to tell me something else here?
• Some people only give once a year and still get it wrong
• If you don’t say thank you or make use of it then it reduces the chance of gifts in the future