Feedback is undoubtedly one of the best drivers to use to guide work performance. A lever in the hands of leaders who, using their professional experience, can give advice and indications to constantly improve the quality of the required outputs.
It may happen, however, that the result of the work is not always “up to” expectations: here is the negative feedback.
While the research exalts managers who often express adverse feedback – ranking them among the leaders most effective – on the other hand those who receive the negative note can live with difficulty the moment.
The anger and disappointment felt hot by the criticized professionals, however, are not good advisors and can compromise the performance already in the immediate future.
The real secret to getting the best out of negative feedback, on the contrary, is to metabolize it, to start again with greater momentum, day after day. But how to do it? Following 5 simple but super effective tips.
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Don’t react instinctively
Reacting with disappointment and confusion to negative feedback is humanly understandable. However, in the business world, maturity and professional development also pass from the ability to manage criticism from the Boss. A skill that increases as self-esteem and awareness of one’s qualities grow and which helps to respond better to criticism.
For example, to correctly process feedback that is not exactly idyllic give yourself time to think: only in this way will you be able to really identify the ideas for improvement that will be useful in the future.
To open yourself completely to negative feedback, also use the technique of self-affirmation: in the face of a threatening criticism, enhance the other qualities that characterize you, so as to make the level of dissatisfaction less intense.
Once you have rebalanced your “ego”, then, you can reply with serenity to anyone who has found some mole in your work.
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Gather more information
A colleague pointed to you during a meeting for being too aggressive: a perception of him or the harsh reality? To dispel any doubts, ask for feedback from people with a high level of awareness, whose honesty and sincerity you appreciate.
Maybe among the meeting participants, there is someone with these characteristics: try to get their opinion on your attitude and then compare the results.
The different points of view will allow you to verify the veracity of professional criticism, improving your weaknesses if necessary.
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Luster change
Your professional behavior has drastically improved, you are working hard on the weak points, but the negative feedback continues, unfairly, to arrive? It is time to show the new professional “soul” in a striking way, in front of colleagues.
If you have been criticized for a lack of willingness to confront, propose to organize a team alignment meeting; if your colleagues complain of an individualistic approach, surprise them with a business lunch ordered by you, to be consumed altogether.
In short, show your network that you are no longer what you were before: a few targeted actions will be enough to really change your opinion about your work. And to eliminate negative feedback.
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Don’t isolate yourself
Some research has shown that after negative feedback, among the most natural reactions, there is that of avoiding contact with those who have made a well-founded criticism. A big mistake!
The correct behavior, in fact, is the total opposite one: surrounding yourself with people who tell the truth about the professional attitude – even when the reality is hard to digest – allows you to improve from every point of view.
Expand your network, engage in constant dialogue with colleagues and feed on their opinions, even if sometimes negative.
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Admit weaknesses
We’ve seen it: negative feedback must be managed in the best possible way to help improve behavior, making it as virtuous as possible.
However, it may happen that despite great efforts, positive results do not come.
So what to do? Honestly admit your limitations.
Faced with an open and sincere declaration of individual weaknesses, colleagues can only appreciate the frank approach, feeling less of the weight of your flaws.