Here's how you can receive feedback without getting defensive.
Receiving feedback is a critical skill in professional development, but it can be challenging when your first instinct is to become defensive. It's important to remember that feedback, even when it's tough to hear, is a valuable tool for growth. By learning to accept it with grace, you can improve your performance, foster better relationships, and demonstrate leadership. Here's how you can navigate the often tricky waters of receiving feedback without letting defensiveness get in the way.
The key to accepting feedback non-defensively starts with your mindset. Understand that feedback is not an attack on your character or abilities but rather an opportunity for personal and professional growth. By shifting your perspective to view feedback as constructive, you can keep an open mind and be more receptive to what is being shared. This mental adjustment allows you to focus on the content of the feedback rather than the emotional response it may trigger.
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Feedback is a self improvement Don't take it your heart Take it ur mind Realign yourself and restart again. Understand why he is giving me feedback bcoz he wants me to improve or else he can do his work after a year u will not get a good hike the reason is in your work. So feed your back and start working on improvement
When receiving feedback, it's crucial to listen actively and fully without interrupting. Give the person providing feedback your undivided attention and resist the urge to formulate a response while they are still speaking. This demonstrates respect for their perspective and ensures you fully understand their comments. Listening attentively can also help you identify the core issues being addressed, which is essential for meaningful improvement.
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The best way to do this is to decide that you will not interject until the other person is finished. Before you give your side, ask follow up questions to make sure you fully understand their point of view. Repeat their points back to them so that they know you have internalized them. Once you've done that, you can talk. Of course, you don't have to do this all the time. It's okay to have a conversation. However, when the dialogue is important to the other person, this practise will help you both.
If any part of the feedback is unclear, don't hesitate to ask for clarification. Seeking to understand shows that you're engaged and value the feedback being given. It also prevents misunderstandings that could lead to unnecessary defensiveness. By asking questions, you can delve deeper into the specifics of the feedback, which can help you make more targeted changes in your behavior or work.
Managing your emotional response is crucial when receiving feedback. It's natural to feel defensive or upset, but it's important to maintain composure and not let emotions cloud your judgment. Take deep breaths, and give yourself a moment to process the information before responding. This self-regulation can prevent knee-jerk reactions and help you engage in a more productive dialogue about the feedback.
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Depending on how it's given, feedback can be tough to hear. I try to remember the Oscar Wilde quote, "True friends stab you in the front." We all need someone to check out blind spots for us or look at our work and see what needs improving. If you can see that even the most painful criticism can show you things that you're not seeing, you'll realise that this is how you get better. Sometimes, you have to actively remind yourself of that. Once you do, you'll stop being defensive and start being grateful for the feedback. Keep one thing in mind though. When you are giving feedback, do it with kindness. That's the best way for your message to land.
After receiving feedback, develop a clear action plan for how you will address the points raised. This shows that you take the feedback seriously and are committed to making improvements. An action plan also provides a tangible way to measure progress and demonstrates your accountability. By outlining specific steps you will take, you can turn the feedback into a catalyst for positive change.
Regular self-reflection is an integral part of processing feedback effectively. Take time to consider how the feedback aligns with your self-perception and long-term goals. Reflecting on the feedback allows you to internalize the information and integrate it into your personal and professional development. This ongoing process of reflection ensures that you continue to grow and learn from each piece of feedback you receive.
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Feedback is always a way to improve - It allows to validate ideas, theories and concepts and to improve yourself and your development. It is important that when receiving feedback, you see this as an opportunity to learn, identify good and bad things and improve accordingly. Without feedback how could we ever know and redefine ourselves as professionals and individuals?
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