Estimated reading time: 2 minutes
Knowing how to accept feedback is a crucial skill that fosters personal and professional development. However, embracing feedback, especially when it’s negative, is a skill that many struggle to master.
No matter where you’re at in your career, use these six steps to help you turn feedback into actionable growth strategies.
6-step guide to accepting feedback
1. Listen.
It can be challenging to resist the urge to jump in and defend yourself when you’re taking feedback. But it's important to remember that constructive criticism is an opportunity for development.
When receiving verbal feedback, such as during a one-on-one, give the speaker your full attention and listen without interrupting them. Jot down key points to help you remember what they said.
When receiving written feedback, such as over an email, carefully read what was said. Respond to the email by thanking the person for taking the time to provide their feedback and summarizing the information they provided.
2. Reflect.
You don’t need to respond to the feedback you receive in the moment. Sometimes, it’s better to take some time to reflect on the discussion you had or the email you received.
Whether you got the feedback in a meeting or virtually, you can ask the person who provided the feedback if you can schedule time to talk through it later that week. This gives you time to process what you were told so you can come to the meeting with talking points.
3. Ask questions.
As you think about the feedback you received, ensure you understand the points that were made and what is expected of you moving forward. If you need to clarify anything, write down your questions so you don’t forget them.
Some examples of questions you might ask could include:
- Could you provide specific examples of what you mean by (X)?
- What aspects do you think need the most improvement?
- How do you suggest I address the issue?
- Are there any resources or examples you recommend I look at?
- What would success look like in this context?
- How does this feedback align with the overall goals and expectations?
You can ask the questions during your follow-up meeting.
4. Summarize the feedback.
When you’re in your follow-up meeting (and after you’ve had your questions answered) restate the feedback in your own words to ensure you've understood it correctly. This summary helps confirm you're on the same page and know what to do differently in the future.
5. Create an action plan.
Next, work with your leader on what your next steps should be. If the feedback giver was not your leader, communicate with them what was said so they can help you create an action plan.
Brainstorm what you can do to better the specific areas of improvement by:
- Setting measurable goals and timelines to track your progress.
- Defining any resources or support you might need to apply these changes effectively.
- Scheduling regular check-ins to help you stay accountable and adjust your plan if necessary.
6. Apply the feedback.
The last step to take when learning how to take feedback is to execute the changes needed within your daily work. Follow the action plan you created and make it a habit to review your progress regularly.
Ultimately, the goal is not just to acknowledge feedback but to use it as a catalyst for growth and improvement. This will lead to better performance and a more fulfilling work experience.
