We’ve all been given feedback that we felt was delivered wrong, not valid or the person giving it wasn’t qualified to do so. Perhaps you just didn’t like the person or read to deeply into their words, body language or message and so you raised your weapons to defend yourself from them. Who really loses this battle?
Norman Vincent Peale said “The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism”. Being told that you have failed to meet expectations or that you could be doing something better can seriously damage our ego. Feedback and criticism is inevitable and should not be avoided because they are the keys to sustainable success and growth.
These tips will help you lower your weapons and accept feedback:
Reframe the feedback by taking out the nonsense that your mind added to it and just stick to the facts.
Remove your feelings about the person because they will cause you to readily dismiss the feedback.
Don’t defend but clarify by restating the feedback to them in your own words to make sure you understand.
Reflect by asking yourself how can you use the feedback.
Implement by deciding if you will apply some or all of the feedback.
Lower your weapons when someone bequeaths you the gift of feedback. It is the best sign that they care about your growth and the trajectory of your career. Raising your weapons to defend against feedback or criticism may win the battle but will cause you to lose the war.
Last updated on March 5th, 2018 at 09:16 am
