Where's the Gift?

by Nigel Bristow

How to achieve phenomenal success by discovering the gift in all feedback

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

82 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Paulina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This caught my attention because it opens with a fable about a hippo. It turned out to be an extremely quick read with some really good advice about how to be open to feedback and criticism without being defensive. I hope that I can incorporate it at home and at work.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable. Simple, yet thought-provoking. I found myself pondering times in my past when I stood to gain something from constructive feedback and failed.

[Bobby Alger · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a concise anecdote for feedback that has several good steps for success. It accomplishes it's purpose in being simple, though approaches oversimplification. Overall enjoyed it.

[Raejean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of the book was a little predictable, but there was some good nuggets of wisdom in the second half.

[tomorrowcomestoday]

i understand now

[Lina Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this book should probably be required reading for everyone entering the workforce (and, let's be honest, for managers everywhere). While "feedback" is generally thought of and accepted as a good thing, it is a stretch to say that most people find value in a "rebuke" or "criticism."

But that is the point Bristow makes: All feedback has the power to help us reach our goals regardless of how it is delivered. The rest of the book is spent learning four steps to make seeing the value (or the "gift") in all feedback and to help the reader learn the right attitudes in either accepting or rejecting the feedback.

A component that I found extremely helpful was the way the examples provided a language set for taking these lessons into practical life; helping the reader to gracefully acknowledge fault, or graciously accept (and then set aside) feedback that may not provide overall value for the situation.

Definitely a worthwhile (and EXTREMELY fast) read for anyone with a career.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet. This book gives some great examples on how to receive feedback. It bolds the authors points and has some great quotes. The only negative is that it doesn't tell you how to accomplish those points, it just simply tells you the point and gives an example.

[Jay Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book, it's a lot easier to accept criticism from friends and enemies.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This motivational book is about giving and receiving feedback as a key to growth. Short but powerful.