On dealing with negative feedback

When we are confronted with negative feedback our gut instinct is to feel hurt and defensive. So how do we cope with this in a mature and constructive way?

1. Remove your ego.

2. Ask yourself is the feedback valid?

3. Taste and opinions differ so you won't always get things 100% right, newsflash you are not psychic, and you are not a machine! Stop and think about what the person is asking you, what they want and why they want it? ASK MORE QUESTIONS AND TRY AGAIN

4. Remember that constructive feedback gives you something to work on (an important factor for anyone who wants to keep improving)

5. ALSO remember that there is a difference between constructive feedback and criticism. Be discerning enough to know the difference and choose what to take onboard.

6. Monitor your emotions - the other person is expressing what they need, not trying to break you down or tell you that you are not good enough. Take feedback in the spirit it is given and don't take it personally. It is about a specific piece of work, not about you as a human being
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7. REMEMBER you cannot be all things to all people and that is ok! Know when to move on if you need to!

Take the feedback, use it as fuel to improve or as a signpost to make a change - either way you WIN!
We are all human, we make mistakes and get the brief wrong - that is not a deal breaker, the deal breaker is when we think we are too clever to learn or too perfect to improve. If you create, if you innovate, you will fail from time to time but remember either you win or you learn!
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Have a wonderful week and please remember to check out The Assistant Lab, a new podcast that I am hosting with my colleague and dear friend Victoria Wratten of EPAA https://theassistantlab.buzzsprout.com/ we would really appreciate your support!