Everyone has received negative feedback from clients, a boss, family, or friends. These negative words can be too heavy for you to bear and sometimes negative comments can even shake your confidence. You may start questioning yourself, your capabilities and your skills. When a boss or colleague criticizes your work, or a client complains about your performance, the words are hard to swallow. They are tough to deal with, but not impossible.
Throughout your career, you will receive mixed comments from the people you have worked with. It will probably highlight both what you do well and what you should improve on. These negative statements are the important part of your professional growth. These feedbacks can be really valuable for you for your advancing career. It is necessary to evaluate each negative feedback you have been given as it could be your key to success. It's natural to get upset or defensive, but those who take it well and recover from it emerge with poise.
Here are some ways to deal with negative feedback.
- Listen Carefully
When someone is giving you negative feedback, don't interrupt, and listen carefully to what your client or boss is saying. There are good reasons to stay calm and silent: you need to understand exactly what the criticism is and whether it is an opinion or a fact. You need to sort out facts from the opinion which can be possible only if you listen carefully. It will also make it easier for you to respond effectively.
- Avoid Subjective Language
It’s very easy that one gets defensive when you find other person’s criticism imprecise, ill-informed, unreasonable, or just plain weird. You may even respond back with “You’re Wrong”, which is a completely natural reaction. But it can be come off as completely immature. So, it would be good if you control as much as possible. Avoid using any kind of snappish language and try to take responsibility for all your actions and their end result. Human beings have defensive nature, but when we are given a negative dose, we should listen to it to find out inaccuracies or faulty conclusions.
- Don't Over-Apologize
If you are being reprimanded for a specific mistake, bad behavior or some misunderstanding, apologize once. Make sure your apology is honest and concise, shows that you understand where you went wrong, and promises not to repeat the mistake. Your efforts will be appreciated. Your boss will likely want to move on. If you keep apologizing for the same thing, you will not let your boss forget your mistake.
- Don’t React Immediately
When you receive a tough feedback, don’t react on impulse. You may feel like reacting immediately. Due to the heat of the moments, you will find your emotions at the peak. But don’t react instantly. Just take a deep breath and give yourself a physical space to soak up the remarks and clear your head before you respond. There is a possibility that your boss or the person who has given you the feedback may expect you to respond immediately, but don’t say a single word. You must say something and respectfully that should give an idea to the person at the front that you will collect your thoughts to respond better. Step away and walk outside, which is a good way to deal with it. It will help you to calm your mind and respond wisely later after going through the feedback given.
- Don’t Hesitate To Clarify Things
Once your head is cool, you should think about the points your boss mentioned. Think them again and find out if they actually make sense. It’s always good to circle back and analyze each and every statement or allegation made. It will help you check where you are wrong and things went wrong. Evaluate things and discuss them with your boss. Tell him the points where you need improvement and concerns you the most. Your boss will definitely appreciate you on seeing the time and efforts you have spent in analyzing your mistakes.
- Don’t Feel Bad
There is a possibility that negative feedback from your boss can catch you by surprise. He may highlight some flaws in you that make you self-conscious. There are 100% chances that you are definitely going to feel bad. Believe it – it’s completely normal. Bad reviews and feedbacks are part of career growth, so do not take it personally.
There are several ways to handle negative feedback from your boss or someone else. Handle it patiently and calmly. Never get agitated or be confrontational. Just think over the words before you say anything.
