Here's how you can handle negative feedback professionally.

How we think about negative feedback can lead to self-doubt and paralysis or open doors to growth and enlightenment. Regardless of how feedback makes you feel, always evaluate its merit with bare honesty. If there's a shred of truth to it, give it your time. This may be hard but it will benefit you exponentially. To see examples of how feedback can empower you, read any of these three books: "The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday, "The Dichotomy of Leadership" by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, and "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl. Keep an open mind. While the authors may not be relatable to you, all will show how fear, emotion, and perspective impact personal growth, and how feedback is key to gaining wisdom and strength.

I think negative feedback is very useful and keeps you prepared to improve and learn from mistakes. Only then it is possible to know what you are lacking and what areas of improvement are required. Although, it is sometimes hard to digest it is the only way to truly learn.

I recommend preparing yourself in advance for working with people. The books "Boundaries", "How to Win Friends and Influence People", and "Crucial Conversations" are helpful resources. Besides preparing your mind for potential negative feedback, remembering that you are human and you have and hold value no matter what will help you remain professional and at peace with whatever adversity may come.

Don't take it personally. Negative feedback is not an attack on you or your skills as whole, and it doesn't define you. It is the best opportunity for you to see where you can grow, and / or how you can improve your cooperation with others.

Getting feedback allows us to hear ideas that we potentially haven’t considered. Some feedback is useful. Some feedback is not as useful. But all of it develops our ability to accept, receive, and move forward. It’s normal to be sensitive about your work or projects when what you're working on is near and dear to your heart or something you've invested a lot of time into. But every time we get feedback, we develop our ability to mature in that area and potentially hear things we don't want to hear. However, maturity in that area is so important in terms of staying in the game of bringing your most exciting ideas to life.

Stay calm, analyze the critique. Adjust and move on. Respond intelligently if asked. Realize you can’t please everybody. This is all apart of growth, and winning!

Negative feedback often triggers emotional reactions, making it essential to maintain calmness. Take a moment to breathe and process before responding. In face-to-face situations, stay composed and listen attentively. For written feedback, read carefully to grasp the points fully. Responding calmly showcases your professionalism

The process of staying calm can start prior to the feedback process. If you are able to prep, practice deep breathing and mindfulness techniques, and set your expectations and intentions to be open and willing to listen. During feedback, continue to practice reflective listening and self-awareness. If you notice emotional uptick or urges to respond, take deep, slow breaths, before responding. As well, practice asking clarifying questions that are non-defensive and inviting of further dialogue.

Never take negative feedback personally. The person offering this critique likely holds you in high regard and has your best interests at heart. They want to see you grow and improve, so embrace their feedback with an open mind.

No matter what field you are in, feedbacks will be given to you and how you handle it will be how the public sees you as a professional in that field. You will get the good reviews, the unhelpful ones that has no clarity, and then the ones where it hits you hard and almost makes you tumble and fall. Build your resilience and remember that all feedbacks are not personal attacks. It is a way for you to reshape the negative into a positive thought and make it better. Don't let the emotion of the words harm you into losing your way or purpose in what you do.

Feedback is provided in response to an individual's perception. That opinion was developed based upon the "experience" you provided to that individual. So while you may disagree with the individual's feedback, recognize that you cannot argue against the perception they have of you and that you helped to create. In most cases, there is always at least one little nugget that you can take from the feedback and incorporate into an improvement.

Receiving feedback can come across as intimidating for many professionals like myself, at the same time it's an opportunity to take what we have been told by our managers or colleagues to analyze and understand what context being discussed can be beneficial for our own growth and improvement. For example, I recall in my previous part time job where my manager was very straightforward about the importance of having a focused mindset and maintaining a clean and organized work environment, which I took very seriously and appreciated as a reason to improve for future projects and tasks in the company, and I always make sure they the workplace I work in is organized and neat.

Analyzing the feedback you receive is essential. That means that you are not just receiving a message, but also processing and appropriating it. Why are they saying this? What is the root cause? Why do they feel this way? There are many questions we can ask ourselves. We have the raw information, but we have to look deeper.

Does the person offering me feedback have a more extensive background than I do?" This is an important question to consider when evaluating the value of feedback. The next step is to analyze the nature of the feedback. Is it related to methodology, knowledge, behavior, or something else entirely? Identifying the specific area of concern allows you to assess its relevance and potential impact.

When responding to negative feedback, it's crucial to do so with respect and gratitude. Thank the person for their input, regardless of whether you agree with it. Expressing appreciation shows that you value their perspective and are open to constructive criticism. If appropriate, you can also share your perspective or outline your plan to address the issues raised. A respectful response not only maintains a positive tone but also has the potential to turn a critic into a supporter. It also demonstrates your professionalism to others who may observe the exchange, showcasing your ability to handle feedback with maturity and grace.

In the music industry, maintaining positive relationships is crucial. It's a small space where word travels quickly, and having a reputation for professionalism and grace can significantly impact your career. Negative feedback is inevitable, but how you handle it can set you apart. Responding respectfully not only shows maturity but also opens the door for constructive dialogue and potential future collaborations. Avoiding bad blood with people is essential because today's critic could be tomorrow's ally or collaborator. The industry thrives on connections, and burning bridges can limit your opportunities. Remember, maintaining a positive and professional demeanor can lead to lasting respect and success in the tight-knit music community.

Expressing gratitude for feedback is a powerful way to encourage a culture of open and honest communication. When you show appreciation for feedback, you not only acknowledge the effort of the feedback provider but also encourage them to continue offering their insights in the future. It creates a positive cycle of constructive criticism that fosters growth and improvement. Additionally, your grateful attitude may inspire a more empathetic approach to feedback, leading to a supportive and thoughtful exchange.

"But I've always done it this way." More often than not, a feedback is a call for adaptation, a nudge to adjust your approach rather than a mandate for wholesale change. Your unique contributions are valuable; yet, it is also worth considering the perspective of the broader society.

Reflect, and grow. Words you certainly wouldn't coincide with negative feedback. You know the saying " when someone controls your mind, they become your master". I remember once being at the studio listening to a mix. Another guy came in thinking I was the mixer and said " What is this crap?" A few other people started laughing and said " that's Kevin, he's sitting right next to you!" I was young, and this hurt. I held it together and asked him what changes he would make? He kind of just sheepishly left. The producer Shock G was impressed by my reaction so we started writing. Afterwards we chilled and he told me stories about signing Tupac to Digital Underground. A positive reaction to negative feedback brings opportunity so reflect & grow.

To me criticism is an absurd concept. Either coming from peers most of them jealous of what ever one does or people who don’t know what they are talking about therefore irrelevant. So ignore criticism and do your best keeping your integrity ignoring negative feedback.

I agree 100%. Criticism is a big part of growth. As I mentioned earlier, One must go seeking criticism because it really does shape one's path and gives a good motive to work. Especially as artists, we need a catalyst to keep us going with our work. Be it something politically, culturally or anything that might "strike a nerve". In the end our art needs to be out into the world. And criticism is an inevitability of "success". So, embracing any form of criticism is essential for growth.

Understand context. No one is perfect and we all have moments that affect how we handle situations. If you receive feedback that you have considered and genuinely don't understand or can't agree with - consider context. Example: You send an email to someone asking for feedback on something due end of day. Although they usually respond easily in these situations, today's response is "I'm sorry, but this is unacceptable. I'm disappointed in the quality of this effort." Consider their situation. Maybe they are drowing in work and you've made your last-minute need their "right now" problem. Often we get so wrapped up in what we're doing and need that we forget our colleagues are people with situations they are managing too.

Individuals who a fixed mindset (those who believe they cannot change) may feel threatened by negative feedback, view it as a sign of failure, and react more defensively. People with growth mindsets (those who believe that effort can increase knowledge, skills, and ability) will view negative feedback more as an opportunity for improvement. To develop a growth mindset, embrace new challenges whenever you can, and celebrate victories, big and small - your own and others. Finally, give it time. A growth mindset doesn’t get developed overnight. Use the word “yet” more often. It allows you to see that, with time and effort, you can overcome challenges.