I heard this phrase at a Toastmasters meeting from one of our members, and it stayed with me.
What a kind way to think about offering feedback. Just saying it feels like it’s coming from a good place.
But the relationship and the setting matter, too. When there’s an established degree of trust, or we’re in an environment like Toastmasters where feedback is welcome and learning is part of why we’re there, we can be more open to receiving it.
We know the person offering it wants to help us grow.
It made me think about how we approach these conversations at work. Gallup’s article, “How Effective Feedback Fuels Performance,” emphasizes feedback that supports development, looks ahead and makes room for both people’s perspectives.
What if we brought that intention into our performance conversations more often? Recognizing what’s working, talking honestly about what could improve, and exploring what comes next.
I think there’s something here for our personal lives, too. We’re constantly learning and evolving. An observation shared with kindness, at a welcome moment, can help us see something we hadn’t considered.
Sometimes that starts with a simple question: “Would you be open to something I noticed?”
For me, “a little gift of growth” captures the care behind the conversation. Trust, timing and a willingness to listen help make room for it.
Thank you to our fellow member for sharing those words.
At the end of the day, couldn’t we all use a little gift of growth?
Source: Gallup, “How Effective Feedback Fuels Performance”
Marina Racetin is the Owner and Principal Consultant of Race Consulting, an Alberta-based HR consultancy. She brings more than 10 years of progressive HR experience. More about Marina
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