In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re excited to share invaluable insights from Aaron Spencer, Revenue Enablement Director, in an inspiring interview with Priya Newaz. Aaron dives deep into the importance of clear feedback, continuous learning, and focusing on performance and talent to drive career growth and leadership development, particularly for women in the workplace.
The Power of Clear Feedback and Continuous Improvement
Aaron highlights that clear, actionable feedback is vital for success. "If you're unclear on what you're doing, you're probably going to mess it up, and nobody wants to mess up," she explains. Feedback should go beyond simple praise or critique. Instead, it should focus on specifics—what was done well, the impact it had, and areas for improvement. By identifying these key elements, individuals can work towards refining their skills and approach.
Aaron is a strong advocate for the Kaizen philosophy of continuous improvement, which focuses on making small, incremental improvements that lead to substantial progress over time. "Each time, there's always one or two little pointers that you can give somebody to make them even better," she shares. By focusing on these marginal gains, professionals can improve consistently, making a significant impact on their performance.
Feedback, especially when paired with self-reflection and action, is a game changer. "Feedback is all around identifying exactly what you did, how it made your audience feel, and what the impact was," says Aaron. This structured, constructive feedback helps to accelerate learning and refine one's leadership abilities.
Continuous Learning and the Role of Performance & Talent
Aaron stresses the importance of continuous learning as an essential driver for career development. "You don’t need to wait for somebody to give you feedback," she advises. "Proactively seeking feedback can help you understand how your actions are perceived and what you can do better." This approach ensures that professionals remain on track to continually grow and improve, even if they don’t always receive formal performance reviews.
Using technology, especially tools that provide real-time feedback, can empower professionals to stay ahead. Aaron discusses how AI-powered feedback systems are transforming the process: "When I give feedback in our system, it asks if I want to draft with AI. So even if I’m rushing and haven’t constructed the sentence perfectly, it helps me phrase it better for that individual." The use of such tools ensures that feedback is not only constructive but also clearly communicated.
At OneAdvanced, our Performance & Talent solution mirrors this approach by enabling individuals and teams to receive continuous feedback and track their performance over time. "As you capture feedback throughout the year, you have a whole bunch of evidence of where you excel," Aaron emphasises. This evidence helps professionals to reflect on their growth, build stronger development plans, and align their skills with organisational goals.
Key Takeaways for Career and Leadership Development
- Seek Clear, Constructive Feedback: Proactively request feedback to understand both strengths and areas for improvement. Clear, actionable insights will guide you in refining your skills and approaching challenges more effectively.
- Embrace Continuous Improvement: Implement the Kaizen philosophy by making small, consistent improvements each day. Over time, these incremental steps will lead to significant growth in your role and leadership journey.
- Leverage Technology for Real-Time Learning: Use AI-powered tools to capture feedback in real time, helping you refine your approach and communicate more effectively.
- Reflect and Track Your Progress: Continuously capture feedback and use it to build a development plan that highlights areas for growth, enabling you to align your goals with your organisation’s objectives.
Aaron’s insights serve as a powerful reminder that clear feedback, continuous learning, and a focus on performance and talent are essential elements in fostering career growth. For women looking to break barriers and accelerate their leadership journey, embracing these principles is key to creating a meaningful and sustainable career trajectory.
If you’re looking to drive growth within your organisation and support talent development, OneAdvanced’s Performance & Talent solution provides the insights and tools needed to elevate your workforce. Reach out to us today to learn how we can support your career growth and leadership goals.