No matter where you are, you will come across feedback and advice, such as performance reviews, meetings with your mentor, or even conversations with your friend. We certainly take well to hearing good things about ourselves, but what about dealing with negative feedback?
3:40: Right or wrong, what matters most when someone gives you feedback:
4:30: What EVERYONE does when they receive feedback.
7:40: What do you say if the feedback is incorrect?
8:40: The killer line for receiving feedback: “Thank you so much for…”
10:30: The best way to receive feedback happens after the conversation?
Whether positive or negative, feedback is an opportunity to grow. It’s an opportunity to see what you need to work on through the eyes of others. And regardless of whether or not the person giving you feedback is correct, it shows that they cared enough to tell you that you should step up your game.
So the next time someone offers feedback to you, you could fall back upon the common knee-jerk reaction to defend yourself and make excuses, such as “I was busy,” “I’ve been sick,” or “I thought it would help the team, but it didn’t and I’m really sorry.” But we don’t recommend that. Instead of rushing to defend yourself, there’s a more likable way to receive feedback:
“Huh.”
It’s as if the feedback elicited an “aha” moment from you, one that the person giving you feedback helped you to see. Whether or not he’s correct, he cared enough to bring this to your attention, and then you thank him:
“Thank you for bringing this to my attention.”
So don’t defend, but instead acknowledge the person across from you caring enough to give you input on what’s going on. And even more likable is to follow up with the feedback later—check in later to let him know how his feedback has benefited you.
Stay tuned, and stay awesome!
