3 Tips for Receiving Feedback

Accepting feedback can be a challenge, but how you respond matters. We're offering 3 tips on making the most of the feedback you receive.

Practice Active Listening: The most critical element to receiving feedback with a growth mindset is to practice active listening. When someone is providing you with feedback, it is because they believe that you are capable of growth and change – giving feedback is investing in a relationship. If you listen to learn rather than to respond, you are more prepared to absorb the purpose of the message.

Seek Clarity: Despite everyone’s best efforts to provide feedback in a clear manner, there’s always a chance of misinterpretation. Before crafting stories based on your interpretation, ask clarifying questions. Tie back in what you’ve interpreted as the key points of their feedback, and make sure that you’re seeing eye-to-eye.

Take Time to Reflect: Receiving feedback can make people feel reactive. If you’re feeling defensive upon receiving feedback, ask for time to process it before responding. It’s better to have a well-crafted response that comes across as intended than to react in the moment and create room for misinterpretation.