If you’ve ever had trouble accepting feedback, don’t worry, you’re not alone! Let’s face it, hearing feedback from others about your performance in the workplace is challenging. Hearing feedback about anything that you do is hard! It can be awkward, embarrassing, and challenging to respond to. However, we will all face hearing feedback at some point in our lives, and it’s best to know how to accept it and implement it into your life. You’ll find yourself in this situation in job-related performance reviews, application feedback, and when dealing with conflict in any relationship. Here is JobGet’s guide to accepting feedback as you embark on your journey to success.
While you may believe you are performing well at work, others may be feeling a different way. It is normal to have days when you are more productive than others, but if supervisors notice you have lacked motivation and charisma, they might pull you aside. This scenario can seem incredibly daunting, and it’s essential to get offended off the bat. Instead, pay close attention to what the speaker is saying and try to view their feelings from a different perspective. Don’t automatically assume they are trying to get you into trouble here; they might just be checking in to see if everything is okay. An article posted by Penn State on perception changing states, “Sometimes it takes an intervention, such as the one described, to help individuals to see that their situation can change. Just like their perspectives and confidence improved, the same result can occur in other situations”. View the situation from the other person’s standpoint and reevaluate the problem before proceeding with the conversation.
When accepting feedback, it is essential to listen critically. Before you chime in with comments or concerns, let the speaker complete their thoughts and express their feelings to you. This way, you allow the speaker to know that you are giving them your full attention, without interrupting. If you would like to provide a counterpoint, make sure to hear everything the speaker has to say so that you can best address the situation. Giving your full attention to the conversation at hand will show respect to the speaker, and in turn, they will provide care to you.
If you’re someone who enjoys a good book with lots of helpful tips, check out Thanks For The Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen. This book puts theory to the test and provides excellent examples you might face when receiving harsh feedback. The scenarios explored in this book can be beneficial when applied to your own life, so be sure to check it out!
Keep in mind, you don’t have to apply every single piece of feedback given to you. Allow yourself the freedom to take what you want and leave what you don’t. You are in control of your actions, and it is essential to take other’s opinions and views of you with a grain of salt. Try re-working and applying the feedback in a way that feels natural and effective to you! Try things out and mold these suggestions into a way that works for you and your work style. Don’t be afraid to ask questions after receiving feedback as well. This way, you might learn specific examples and areas of improvement you should focus on.
Keep in mind that while receiving feedback may be intimidating, there can be great benefit in listening to what others have to say about you. Be open to exploring suggestions and pointers offered by supervisors and other management leaders. Sometimes, you might just gather some beneficial feedback that can help improve your work style and benefit your productivity. In fact, ascb.org states in one of their feedback studies, “Getting constructive feedback starts with your own attitude.” Go in with a growth mindset, and embrace the opportunity of having someone share their advice.
A great way to respond to feedback is to bring up the idea of collaboration with your supervisor or mentor. This will give you both an opportunity to gain perspective from both sides and build a better relationship as well. Getting to collaborate will help your supervisor better understand your strengths and weaknesses, too. This will ensure that they can more effectively assist you when help is needed. This will also give you the chance to better comprehend what your management team is looking for in an employee, and adjust your work habits accordingly.
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