Negative feedback is never easy to hear. It
can feel like something blew up in your face.
Our natural inclination is to discount it or be defensive. Neither
reaction serves us or the feedback giver well.
Here are 5 tips from communication skills training experts for receiving feedback in the right way…the way that will give
you both a more positive outcome.
- Get ready for it. Anticipate feedback that may not be welcome and plan how you want to receive it. If you imagine the scenario and prepare for a calm and thoughtful reaction, you are more likely to handle the feedback well.
- Take a deep breath. Delay your response to quell any anger or upset you may feel.
- Rephrase the feedback. Repeat what you thought you heard in your own words. This will ensure that you heard it accurately and give the other person a chance to reconsider or clarify without you making incorrect assumptions.
- Listen rather than defend. As much as you are tempted to tell your “own side of the story,” resist doing so. If you simply listen, you will get more information and better understand the other’s feelings.
- Be respectful. You can agree to disagree but do so in a way that leaves you both with your dignity intact.
