{"id":9586,"date":"2023-05-06T08:32:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-06T08:32:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arliemediadesign.com\/?p=9586"},"modified":"2025-03-23T08:36:39","modified_gmt":"2025-03-23T08:36:39","slug":"6-ways-to-receive-and-respond-to-feedback-positively","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.happy.co.uk\/blogs\/6-ways-to-receive-and-respond-to-feedback-positively\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Ways to Receive and Respond to Feedback Positively"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In The\u00a0Happy Manifesto<\/a>, Henry Stewart emphasises that it is important to have a \u2018positive growth-oriented mindset\u2019 when receiving feedback, and here are a few suggestions to help you to foster that and learn to use feedback at work as a useful tool to build your career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. It is difficult to hear negative stuff about your work, especially if you\u2019ve put a lot of effort or time in. The most important thing to do though, is to stay calm and keep an open mind Becoming defensive, emotional or dismissive only adds to the negative experience for both you and the person giving feedback. How does your reaction affect the image you wish to project at work? Try to focus on finding a resolution, rather than arguing.
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  2. Learning to listen is a very useful skill to acquire, and there are other blogs here that can help you work on that. Listening skills will help you to build emotional intelligence and resilience as well as building a good rapport with the person giving feedback. What is the reason behind the negativity? The person giving the feedback probably doesn\u2019t really enjoy telling you, particularly if you have reacted badly in the past. However the words they choose may sound, their mansplaining might be unintentional. What is their motivation in sharing their opinion with you? Listen carefully and try to understand where they are coming from. Do you fully understand what they are trying to say, or are you leaping to conclusions? Ask for clarification and for specific examples so that you can understand the issue better.
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  3. Accept responsibility and ask for suggestions to resolve the situation in a way that suits you both. Even if you don’t entirely agree with the feedback, try to find something positive and concentrate on that. This shows that you are willing to take constructive criticism and work on improving yourself.
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  4. Turn it to your advantage and learn. Feedback is an invaluable tool to help you grow. If you only ever hear good things about your work, you will just keep doing the same things and eventually stagnate. Thinking about what you\u2019ve been told, can you identify some training, shadowing or other opportunity that could help resolve the issue and also give additional career benefits?
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  5. Check back. Don\u2019t just let it pass. Address the issue first, and then check back with the person who gave the feedback. This will show that you have taken them seriously, value their input and it will help with communication and rapport, even if you don\u2019t completely agree with what was said. Have you thanked them for taking the time to help you to grow in experience and skills?
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  6. Consider the source. One last thought. You don\u2019t have to blindly accept whatever you are told. It goes along with the listening skills \u2013 consider the motivation of the person who is giving you the feedback. Are they a respected mentor? Do they have the best interests of yourself and the wider organisation in mind? How does their feedback align with your own and the organisations values? If you do not feel comfortable with the feedback you\u2019ve received, try to seek a second opinion from someone you trust, and ask their advice in how to proceed. Present your case positively and, as always, learn from the experience and find an opportunity to make it work to your advantage.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
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