Dealing with a senior stakeholder's criticism of your decisions. How can you handle it diplomatically?

a- Instead of dwelling on the criticism, shift the focus towards finding solutions. b- Ask open-ended questions to understand their specific concerns and the reasoning behind their criticism. c- Explain the reasoning behind your decision and the factors you considered. Be data driven and fact oriented, if possible d-Make adjustments if required- If their concerns are valid and there's room for improvement, express your openness to adjustment in approach. e- If adjustments are made based on the feedback, keep the stakeholder informed about the changes and next steps. This shows you value their input and are your commitment to effective communication.

Receiving criticism can be challenging, but it's crucial to avoid defensiveness. Effective listening is one of the most underrated yet invaluable skills in any industry. It plays a vital role in various scenarios, from understanding instructions to accepting feedback and appreciation. When faced with critical feedback from a stakeholder, it's essential to listen attentively and strive to comprehend the underlying perspective. Try to empathize with their viewpoint and then articulate your own thought process and rationale behind the task. Engaging in a constructive exchange of logic can lead to better understanding and improved outcomes for all parties involved.

Learning to criticize is an important trait, but learning to listen to criticism is even more important. Listening to criticism is a way to broaden our perspective and our understanding on various issues. At the end of the day, no one is always right. So, listen because it is possible that you might be wrong.

When dealing with criticism of any kind it’s important to remember not to take it personally. 9 times out of 10 the person is just having a bad day or dealing with a difficult project and under stressors themselves. It’s not a reflection of who we are as individuals so don’t let ego get in the way and potentially lead to words we may regret! Pause, pray, and proceed.

Act fast, but do not rush into a change of direction without taking time to reflect and consider options. Don't be afraid to ask for time to reflect on what has been said, come up with solutions, and develop an implementation plan. You could say: "Thank you for your feedback and input. It is very valuable and gave me many pointers and aspects to consider when adjusting the [plan, product, roadmap, etc.]. Could we get back together [tomorrow, in a week, etc.] to go through an updated version, which I will start working on immediately, to ensure we are aligned?"