Throughout my academic career, I have always valued the constructive feedback provided to me by my peers to improve my skills. Feedback acts as a mirror, reflecting our strengths, weaknesses, and areas for enhancement. Through so, individuals gain valuable insights into their performance, allowing them to identify patterns, refine strategies, and adapt behaviors accordingly. Although receiving criticism on our work may come off as harsh, author Jillian Grauman from “What’s That Supposed to Mean? Using Feedback on Your Writing,” mentions how we should be open to what others have to say about our writing as it opens the door for a growth mindset. Moreover, feedback encourages accountability, as it holds individuals accountable for their actions and encourages them to take ownership of their growth journey.
However, it is crucial to ensure that when taking advantage of feedback, the writing stays true to the author as feedback can naturally align with the beliefs or goals the person behind the feedback most aligns with, potentially taking away from an author or creator’s uniqueness. If feedback is not tailored to an individual’s needs or delivered in a culturally sensitive manner, it can be ineffective or even harmful. Essentially, listen to what others criticize about their work, but authors should not always adhere to an entire list of suggestions as people cannot always understand the goal a writer is trying to achieve as described by Grauman. Ultimately, feedback is not merely a one-way communication; it is a powerful exchange that fosters mutual growth and development.
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