How do you balance humility and self-assurance when processing constructive criticism from peers?

Humility is the foundation of growth. Without it, we close ourselves off from valuable insights that can help us improve. Early in my career at Workday, I quickly realized that I didn’t know everything and that was okay. Admitting that you have areas to improve on is the first step towards genuine growth, which fuels your success.

???????????? ??????????????????????: Give your full attention when receiving feedback, showing that you value your peers' perspectives and are open to their insights. ?????????????????????? ????????????????: Accept that everyone makes mistakes and view them as opportunities for learning and growth rather than personal failures. ???????? ??????????????????: Express appreciation for the constructive criticism, recognising that it is meant to help you improve and succeed. ??????????????: Take time to reflect on the feedback, considering how you can apply it to enhance your skills and performance.

Humility and shame are two different things. While no one likes acknowledging weaknesses, we all have them. And, as with working out, growth is often accompanied by discomfort. Humility is accepting the fact that we have areas where we can grow and accepting feedback on what those might be. Weakness doesn't affect our viability or value at work. When we recognize constructive feedback as a tool for growth rather than an attack on our identity (even if someone intends it that way), we can proactively move forward rather than getting stuck in fear, resentment, or shame.

Receiving critical feedback is hard for everyone. In these moments, try to shift your mindset to one that's open to the feedback. If you view feedback as the gift it is, you can process what you're hearing and have a dialog about what you might do differently moving forward. Social awareness involves understanding how your behavior impacts others. You're likely unaware of the negative impact you're having...be grateful to the other person for telling you the truth. He/she really cares about you if they're willing to have the difficult conversation with you.

Self-assurance in this context means having a confident understanding of your strengths while being willing to work on areas needing improvement. It's about embracing feedback as a means to enhance your skills and performance, rather than as a personal attack. This involves actively listening to feedback with an open mind and acknowledging areas where you can grow. By focusing on how you can apply the advice constructively, you demonstrate humility and a commitment to continuous improvement.

While humility is essential, so is maintaining your confidence. When I entered product management, I was a Senior Associate Product Manager building new features for a Finance product at Workday. I had a natural inner critic that was very hard on me. It always asked me: “Are you doing enough? Are you doing enough?” I had to remind myself that I was chosen for the role because of my skills and potential. Self-assurance allows you to take on new things that may be initially uncomfortable, and grow.

Active listening is crucial when receiving feedback. It's easy to become defensive or to start formulating a response before fully understanding the critique. I learned that genuinely listening to others around me - customers, peers, colleagues, loved ones - helped immensely in deepening my connections and furthering my career.

???????? ??????????????: Focus fully on the speaker without interrupting, maintaining eye contact and showing that you are engaged in the conversation. ?????????????? ?????? ????????????????????: Repeat back what you’ve heard in your own words to ensure understanding, and ask clarifying questions if needed. ?????????? ??????????????????????????: Resist the urge to defend yourself or justify your actions while listening; instead, remain open and receptive to the feedback. ???????? ??????????: Jot down key points of the feedback to reflect on later, ensuring you capture all important details and can thoughtfully consider them.

We are human. We are emotional creatures. We must accept that. Emotions can cloud our judgment when processing criticism. I remember times when receiving feedback felt like a personal attack., Then I would take a step back, zoom out, breathe, and then ultimately realize that my emotions made the feedback seem bigger than it was. My emotions would make the feedback seem like an attack on my character or who I was. When I took a step back, I realized the feedback came from a good place with good intentions.

In practice, this involves recognising any initial emotional reactions, such as defensiveness or frustration, and then consciously setting them aside to focus on understanding the feedback objectively. By doing so, you prevent personal feelings from clouding your judgement and hindering your ability to benefit from constructive criticism.

Responding to feedback constructively is key to professional growth. When leading Product Architecture at Workday, I made it a point to actively seek feedback from those around me, and show gratitude and appreciation for it. I made it clear that I would act on the valuable feedback I was given, and by doing so I made it clear my commitment towards growth and improving. This approach not only improved my work - it but also built stronger relationships with my peers.

?????????????????????? ????????????????: Start by thanking your peer for their feedback and acknowledging the points they have raised, showing that you value their input. ?????????????? ????????????????????????: Engage in a constructive discussion about how you can implement the feedback, asking for specific suggestions or examples if necessary. ?????????? ???????? ??????????????????????: Respectfully share your viewpoint or any constraints you face, ensuring a balanced conversation that fosters mutual understanding. ????????????-????: After implementing changes based on the feedback, follow up with your peer to discuss the outcomes and further refine your approach if needed.

Ask clarifying questions to fully understand the feedback being given. This shows that you value your peers' perspectives and are committed to improving, while also demonstrating confidence in your ability to engage in a constructive dialogue.

A couple of areas not included in the article are: ?????????????? ????????????????????: Maintain self-assurance in your abilities while being open to feedback, demonstrating that you are confident yet willing to learn and improve. ???????????? ?? ???????????????? ??????????????: Encourage a culture where constructive criticism is welcomed and seen as a tool for collective growth and improvement.

Balancing humility and self-assurance when processing constructive criticism starts with an open mindset. Set the expectation for yourself to view feedback as an opportunity for growth, not a personal attack. Measure the feedback objectively, considering the specific points raised and how they align with your goals. Maintain self-assurance by recognizing your strengths and the progress you’ve made. Use emotional intelligence skills like active listening and empathy to fully understand your peers' perspectives. As Ken Blanchard said, "Feedback is the breakfast of champions." Embrace it with gratitude and confidence, knowing it’s a tool for your continuous improvement.

From my experience, balancing humility and self-assurance when receiving constructive criticism involves a mindful approach. Start by listening actively and keeping an open mind, acknowledging that there's always room for improvement. Approach feedback with the intent to learn rather than to defend. At the same time, maintain self-assurance by recognizing your strengths and achievements. Reflect on the feedback objectively, discerning which points are valid and actionable. By valuing your peers' perspectives while staying confident in your abilities, I've found that you can grow both personally and professionally, enhancing collaboration and respect within the team.