Episode 187 - How To Accept Feedback With Grace

<p class="p1"><strong>Summary</strong></p> <p class="p2">Many people are uncomfortable receiving feedback from others, even when the feedback is positive. We explore how to accept feedback with grace.</p> <p class="p3"> </p> <p class="p1"><strong>Transcript</strong></p> <p class="p2">Welcome to episode 187 of the Leadership Today podcast where each week we share practical tips to improve your leadership. This week we explore how to accept feedback with grace.</p> <p class="p2">How would you feel if I said “I have some feedback for you”? When I ask this question in leadership development programs, most people indicate that they would feel nervous, a sense of dread, that they would want to leave, or that they’re expecting bad news. It turns out that most of us assume feedback will be negative. When we receive negative feedback we might feel defensive, want to argue back, or even provide our own negative feedback without fully thinking through the implications. But many people even struggle receiving positive feedback. They might try to play it down, perhaps making a joke, or suggesting that the person providing the positive feedback is wrong. So how can we make the most of the feedback we receive, taking it on with a bit more grace? Here are six tips:</p> <ol class="ol1"> <li class="li2">Always say “thank you”. If it’s positive feedback, try not to dismiss the feedback. If it’s negative feedback, don’t get defensive but just share genuine thanks that the person has had the courage to speak with you.</li> <li class="li2">Don’t respond right away. If it’s positive feedback, come back to the person later to let them know what you appreciated about their feedback. If it’s negative feedback, come back to the person later with what you’ve taken out of their feedback. You’re likely to respond better with some additional time to think and reflect.</li> <li class="li2">Look for the truth in the feedback. If you have received positive feedback, assume that it’s true. For example, if someone says you seemed really confident w