How to Respond to Feedback?

Note from Yann: ?? Hey readers! I’m Yann, every week, I'll share my practical insights from my management playbook. Today is just a page on my notebook, with minimum editing.

Enjoy the read !

?? Subscribe to stay updated on future releases.

Benefits of feedback is well known. It is the fuel of high performing organisations. ???

While there is tons of content on giving it well and frequently, there is less content about how to receive it.

But the trick is not just giving it,It's how you handle feedback. ??

There is the famous 5 A’s method from Matt Mochary , but on my experience it doesn’t always fit the situation.

There is positive or negative. From peer or boss... So many types of feedback! ??

So the response should be different.

I am open sourcing a page of my playbook on how to handle feedback for each situation.

?? As usual, It is very practical and opinionated. From my personal experience. I'm always open to improve it, so write me a comment on how. Let's learn together.

?? Always Start With Gratitude

When receiving feedback, it is crucial to express gratitude, regardless of the source or manner in which it is delivered.

Remember that the person providing the feedback is taking a risk to help you grow, so it is essential to make them feel appreciated. If they feel good about it, they are more likely to reiterate.

A simple "Thank you!" can go a long way in creating a positive environment for feedback exchange.

This will also help to shift your mindset in the next step.

?? Enjoy Praise Graciously

While praise may seem like an easy form of feedback to handle, it often requires intentional effort.

After expressing gratitude, take a moment to savor the praise. The common mistake of immediately asking for constructive criticism can diminish the positive impact of the praise.

Instead, allow yourself to bask in the appreciation and acknowledge the effort and positive qualities that prompted the praise.

?? Clarify Negative Feedback

When faced with negative feedback, your goal should be to fully understand the message being conveyed.

Ask clarifying questions to pinpoint the specific behaviors that need improvement.

"Can you help me understand what I could do better?"

But be careful, if the person providing the feedback struggles to provide specifics, approach the situation tactfully. Simply stop. Too specific questions might be interpreted as feedback pushback.

At the end, you should always acknowledge and rephrase with your own words.

This step not only ensures that there is no misunderstanding but also creates alignment between you and the person providing the feedback.

“From what I understood you said X, Is my understanding correct?”

Repeating the feedback in your own words demonstrates your commitment to understanding and addressing the issue. Never skip this step.

??Commit to Action

This step is mandatory only when you received a constructive feedback from your boss.

Agree to specific changes that need to be made, set a due date for implementation, and commit to following through.

Your manager will hold you accountable.

By taking these steps, you not only demonstrate your willingness to learn and grow but also create an opportunity for a positive and collaborative relationship with your manager.

If the feedback is coming from other, you can commit to yourself and pick an accountability partner.

?? Keep a Feedback Log

Maintain a personal logbook to record all the feedback you receive.

Include specific actions to be taken, your feelings about the feedback, and any insights gained from the experience.

Regularly reviewing your feedback log can help you identify patterns, track your progress, and reflect on your growth journey.

This note is journalling your career growth.

Receiving feedback effectively is a skill that requires practice and a growth mindset.

If you are subscriber of this newsletter I know that your are committed to it. ??

?? Tag someone in comment that can be interested of this content. Help me to spread this content and learn together.

Note from Yann: ?? Hey folks! Thanks for reading. This was the 7th edition, I am still experimenting. Tweaking the style and the content.

Please comment below to share feedback so I can improve.

If you feel that my content is useful, share it to someone that can benefit from it.

?? Subscribe to stay updated on future releases.