The Importance of Asking for Feedback
I recently became a customer of a brand called Oats Overnight. If you haven’t heard of them, they make individual oatmeal packets that taste great and make breakfast on the go a breeze.
As a new customer, I started receiving emails from them more regularly. One email introduced me to new flavors I might like. Another told the story of how the company got started.
But one email stood out above them all.
The subject line read: “How we make the best oatmeal in the world.”
Naturally, I was curious.
I expected to read about their high-quality ingredients or maybe a team of food scientists crafting the perfect flavor combinations. But the answer surprised me:
They seek feedback.
With every box of oatmeal, they include a "flavor in development" packet. It’s a free sample of a new recipe, and all they ask in return is that customers fill out a short survey about what they liked (or didn’t like) about the flavor.
It’s a simple but brilliant approach.
As a customer, I feel valued. I’m not just buying oatmeal; I’m helping shape their future products. And for Oats Overnight, they’re gaining invaluable insights straight from the people they serve.
This got me thinking about leadership and communication. What if we took the same approach to how we present, lead meetings, and engage with our teams?
How do you ensure your communication is clear, impactful, and continuously improving?
You ask for feedback. And then, you listen.
Here’s how you can apply this same feedback-driven approach to your communication skills:
Get clear on what you’re developing. Communication is a broad skill. Are you working on making your message more concise? Creating visuals that enhance, rather than distract from, your presentation? Reducing filler words in your delivery? Identify what you want to improve and be intentional about it.
Be vulnerable with a trusted peer or team member. You don’t have to announce to your entire company that you’re refining your presentation skills. But you can invite a trusted colleague or direct report to observe and provide feedback.
Ask specific questions. Feedback is most useful when it’s targeted. Instead of asking, “How was my presentation?” try:
“Was my main point clear?”
“Did my slides support or distract from my message?”
“Was my delivery engaging?”
The more specific you are, the more actionable the feedback will be.
Oats Overnight makes great oatmeal because they listen to their customers. The best communicators, and the best leaders, do the same.
So, how do you make the best oatmeal in the world? And how do you become an exceptional communicator?
Ask for feedback. And then listen.
- Lauren
