Here's how you can handle feedback without getting defensive.
Receiving feedback is an integral part of professional growth, especially in fields like Global Talent Acquisition where the landscape is constantly evolving. However, it's not uncommon to feel defensive when your work or behavior is critiqued. Learning to handle feedback constructively is a crucial skill that can lead to personal and career development. By embracing feedback, you can gain insights into your performance, understand others' perspectives, and identify areas for improvement. The key is to approach feedback with an open mind and a willingness to learn, rather than seeing it as a personal attack. In this article, you'll discover strategies to help you receive feedback with grace and use it to your advantage.
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Rishi BanerjeeDirector Talent Acquisition @ Atlan | Strategic HRM, Global Talent Acquisition
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Ubong UdohHR Advisory | Employee Relations | HR Systems | HR Projects | Talent Management | People Analytics
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Gunjan DasHead of Talent Acquisition I HR Evangelist I Ex-Attentive.ai I B2B SaaS I AV & IT I Talent Management I Talent…
Active listening is the cornerstone of effectively handling feedback without getting defensive. When you're presented with feedback, focus on truly hearing what's being said. This means listening without interrupting, maintaining eye contact, and giving nonverbal cues that show you're engaged. Resist the urge to formulate a response while the other person is still speaking. By fully concentrating on the message, you'll be better equipped to understand the feedback's intent and content, which is the first step in using it constructively.
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Listen actively to the feedback, filter unconstructive criticism, ask questions when clarification or clarity is required and try to stay open minded. Internalize the information to analyse the feedback and your present circumstances. Develop an action plan to close out gaps from the feedback and re-evaluate.
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My gyan says in order to level up in life without turning into a puddle of emotions? Follow this golden nugget of wisdom: "Absorb feedback with your brain, not your heart!
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Active listening plays a crucial role in handling feedback effectively. It involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and then remembering what is being said. When receiving feedback, active listening helps to process the information objectively, without letting emotions dictate the response. It allows for a thoughtful consideration of the feedback's content, which can lead to constructive improvements. By avoiding defensiveness, one demonstrates openness to growth and a willingness to engage in a meaningful dialogue. This approach not only fosters personal and professional development but also strengthens relationships through respectful communication.
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El arte de recibir comentarios sin ponerse a la defensiva Recibir comentarios puede ser incómodo y desafiante. Nuestra primera reacción suele ser defendernos, pero esto rara vez es productivo. En lugar de eso, aprender a recibir comentarios con una actitud reflexiva y abierta puede transformar nuestro crecimiento profesional. No tomes las críticas como ataques personales. La mayoría de las veces, quienes te brindan comentarios constructivos quieren ayudarte a mejorar. Entender esto te permitirá analizar las críticas de manera racional y enfocarte en cómo puedes mejorar. Recibir comentarios con una actitud abierta y reflexiva puede transformar cómo crecemos profesionalmente.
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Recibir retroalimentación sin sentirlo como un ataque personal muchas veces es difícil.especialmente cuando nuestro trabajo representa nuestro esfuerzo y dedicación. Sin embargo, es importante recordar que no se trata de nuestra persona, sino del trabajo que estamos realizando. Creo que una parte fundamental para dejar que las críticas negativas se resbalen y no tomarlas a pecho, así como tomar la retroalimentación de manera constructiva es reconocer que nuestro trabajo no es todo en nuestra vida. Es una parte de nosotros, sí, y es lo que hacemos para ganarnos la vida, pero no somos únicamente nuestro trabajo. Adoptar esta perspectiva me ha facilitado tomar las críticas de manera más ligera.
Once you've listened to the feedback, take a moment to reflect before responding. This pause allows you to process the information and prevents a knee-jerk defensive reaction. Consider the feedback from a neutral standpoint, and ask yourself how it can help you grow. Reflection also gives you time to separate your emotions from the facts presented, making it easier to respond in a thoughtful and composed manner.
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Constructive feedback is never easy to hear. Everyone likes to be praised and appreciated. Whenever I receive feedback, I listen and unless it is urgent to respond; I wait 24 hours. This grace period allows all the negative feelings to pass and also gives me agency to reflect on what needs to be corrected and provide an overall positive response to whomever must be addressed.
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Ouda Gamal
Talent Acquisition Manager @Amboss, we empower doctors to provide the best possible care.
A golden rule I learned about handling feedback: listen to understand, not just to respond. Being defensive or emotional usually gets in the way of progress.
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Despersonalizar la retroalimentación (feedback) en el trabajo puede ofrecer una perspectiva invaluable. Por ejemplo, al recibir comentarios críticos sobre un informe mensual, es beneficioso separar las emociones de la evaluación. En lugar de sentirse atacado personalmente, es importante enfocarse en los aspectos específicos que podrían mejorarse, como la claridad de los datos presentados. Esta despersonalización permite ver el feedback como una oportunidad para crecer profesionalmente, en vez de percibirlo como un juicio personal. Adoptar esta mentalidad facilita la implementación de cambios efectivos y el continuo desarrollo de habilidades.
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It's important to empathize and understand your boss/superior/peer's perspective fully before responding. As much as you may not agree with their perspective, especially since feedback is mostly from ones perceptions which may differ from yours. Acknowledge their feelings and point of view.
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Siempre procuro tomar nota de cómo me siento y luego reflexionar sobre la otra persona: qué piensa, qué siente y de dónde proviene la crítica que me hace. Si considero la crítica útil, la acepto y trato de cambiar; si no la encuentro productiva, la dejo pasar, pues no la considero beneficiosa para mí. Creo que siempre es válido tomarse tiempo para responder, y hacerlo cuando se considere necesario. Muchas veces no es necesaria una réplica de nuestra parte, sino simplemente la mejora que se espera de nosotros. Si no te sientes conforme, háblalo. La comunicación es fundamental para que nos sintamos cómodos y podamos desempeñar nuestro trabajo de manera efectiva.
If any part of the feedback is unclear, don't hesitate to ask for clarification. Seeking further information demonstrates your commitment to understanding and improvement. It also ensures that you're responding to what was actually meant, rather than what you perceived. By clarifying doubts, you engage in a dialogue that can lead to more meaningful insights and a more productive outcome.
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No asumo. on los años, he aprendido a no asumir lo que se quiso decirme. Si tengo dudas o algo no me queda claro, pregunto. Me ha sido muy útil hacer un resumen al final de cada conversación importante en la que se espera algo de mí. De esta manera, puedo clarificar; "para el próximo trimestre se tomará en cuenta mi desempeño basado en.." Siempre y cuando tenga dudas.
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Aclarar dudas es fundamental para el aprendizaje. Recientemente, al recibir comentarios críticos sobre mi presentación de ventas, opté por abordar cualquier ambigüedad antes de formular una respuesta. En lugar de percibir las observaciones como una crítica personal, me enfoqué en entender los aspectos específicos que requerían mejoras, como la estructura de la presentación y la claridad de los datos proporcionados. Esta clarificación no solo facilitó una interpretación más precisa del feedback. Al adoptar esta mentalidad proactiva, pude implementar ajustes efectivos y seguir avanzando en mi desarrollo profesional.
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Keep asking questions until everyone understands. Get clearer and clearer with the disciplined pursuit of less. It’s ok to not understand, just keep asking and clarifying. 🚀
Gratitude can transform how you receive feedback. Thank the person for their input, acknowledging the time and thought they've put into providing you with their perspective. Expressing appreciation doesn't mean you agree with everything said; rather, it shows respect for the feedback process and opens the door to a respectful exchange. A thankful mindset can also make it easier for you to digest the feedback and use it positively.
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Acknowledge the Feedback: A simple "thank you" shows the person you appreciate their willingness to share their perspective. This acknowledges their input and creates a safe space for further discussion. Seek Clarification: Don't assume you understand everything perfectly. Ask clarifying questions to ensure you grasp the specifics of the feedback. Phrases like "Can you tell me more about what you mean by...?" or "Could you give me an example?" demonstrate your genuine interest in understanding their viewpoint.
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Después de un Feedback pudieras: 1-Expresa gratitud inmediatamente o en la misma conversación("Gracias por tomarte el tiempo para darme estos comentarios. Valoro tu perspectiva y el esfuerzo que has puesto en apoyarme para mejorar") 2-Resume los puntos clave al final de la conversación, para mostrar que hemos entendido el punto ( "Para asegurarme de que entendí bien, mencionaste que debería mejorar en X y Y? Aprecio mucho tus sugerencias") 3-Envía un correo/mensaje en teams etc. de seguimiento para dejar notar que trabajaremos en los puntos de la retroalimentación 4-Mantén una actitud abierta para que sepan que podemos mejorar y tomar retroalimentación en un futuro
After understanding and appreciating the feedback, devise an action plan. Identify specific steps you can take to address the areas highlighted. This plan shows that you're proactive about personal and professional development. It also turns feedback into a constructive tool for progress. Make sure your plan is realistic and set clear goals for yourself, as this will help you stay motivated and track your improvements over time.
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Hay muchas herramientas que pueden ayudarte a llevar a cabo un plan de acción. Para mi la parte fundamental es intentarlo cada día. Un poco, pero siempre diario 1-Determina las acciones concretas que llevarás a cabo para abordar cada uno de los objetivos identificados. (adquirir nuevas habilidades, modificar comportamientos o buscar orientación adicional) 2-Asigna plazos realistas para cada acción para mantenerte enfocado y a avanzar de manera constante 3-Evaluación y Ajuste: Programa momentos regulares para evaluar tu progreso hacia tus objetivos. Reflexiona sobre lo que has logrado y lo que aún necesita trabajo.Si es necesario, ajusta tu plan de acción según tu progreso y las nuevas oportunidades o desafíos que puedan surgir.
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The magic word is action. May be because of the superiority or authority of the person giving the feedback, one might listen without reacting (doesn't mean active listening) and may not interrupt but the most important aspect of the feedback is implementing the corrective steps ...so the magic word is action ...and action starts by creating a plan of action for future with milestones to measure and reflect upon the progress...so according to me if the person is really accepting the feedback and the perspective of the other person then immediate thing to do is create a realistic plan of action for future with intermittent checkpoints to measure the progress being made...
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Why, why, why? Why live your life based on how others want you to? Live it your way, do things your way, and enjoy a happy, healthy life.
Maintaining an ongoing dialogue about feedback ensures continuous improvement and understanding. Regularly check in with the person who provided the feedback to discuss your progress. This not only demonstrates your commitment to growth but also fosters a culture of open communication. It can also provide additional insights and support as you work on implementing changes based on the feedback you've received.
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separate the feedback from the person giving it to you. by doing this you can more objectively comprehend the feedback and how you can act on it.
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It is natural to disagree or get defensive (however correct the feedback is) but here is a technique that truly helps... 1) Go into the conversation assuming the person sharing feedback has you best interest at heart. 2) Before you react, engage in an argument or justify your actions take some time off to ask yourself (i) what is cost of my current actions/ or not taking actions (ii) what could I do differently (iii) how will I benefit by doing things differently Reactions are reflection of professional maturity & thought process, so be wise. 3) Now go back to the person who has shared the feedback and discuss (i) What have you tried so far? (ii) What barriers stand in your way? (iii) What changes are needed to move forward?
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