| I tend to request constructive feedback on | | | | On the other side of the coin it also takes |
| many different things knowing there will be | | | | true courage to give good, constructive |
| times I'll arc up at what I hear or read. | | | | feedback for fear of a negative response or |
| I've requested website reviews for months now | | | | reprisal, even if the feedback was requested. |
| and finally a website critiqued mine. The | | | | |
| first lines were about the great content, | | | | Below are 10 straightforward tips for coping |
| author is a great writer AND then line after | | | | with feedback: |
| line of feedback... | | | | |
| | | | Work on the attitude of feedback is fun, |
| After the initial nervous breakdown, banging | | | | enlightening and a great learning tool as |
| head on keyboard and brick wall (I suggest | | | | opposed to feedback is scary and to be |
| you restrain yourself from doing this - it | | | | avoided at all costs. |
| hurts and leaves funny indentations in your | | | | |
| forehead!) and sheer indignation of how could | | | | Feedback is someone else's opinion however |
| 'they' (whoever they are) think that? I | | | | there may be an element of truth in there |
| calmed down and started dissecting each piece | | | | even if the size of an atom. |
| of information carefully. | | | | |
| | | | Consider the experience level of the person |
| Only the other day a very experienced IT | | | | giving feedback (did you really ask your |
| professional friend of mine rang me to say my | | | | partner for feedback?). |
| website had lots of meat but no sizzle. Well | | | | |
| wasn't that great news? Although this was | | | | Allow the other person to complete what |
| constructive feedback, it still managed to | | | | they're saying; wait at least 3 seconds |
| take the wind out of my sails for a short | | | | before responding as opposed to reacting. |
| while. | | | | |
| | | | Centre and balance yourself by taking several |
| I've since taken this feedback onboard and am | | | | slow deep breaths before the feedback |
| tossing around a few ideas here and there so | | | | discussion takes place. |
| I can give my website that much needed | | | | |
| zazazoom it's meant to have! | | | | Never take it personally. |
| | | | |
| In the past I've also requested feedback when | | | | Employ the attitude that this is a learning |
| job applications have been unsuccessful so I | | | | experience, learn what you can from it, even |
| can learn to do better next time. | | | | if it means you've learned how not to give |
| | | | feedback. |
| Sometimes people will ask for feedback when | | | | |
| what they're really after is approval, | | | | Be totally in the present moment. It's the |
| especially when we think we're doing a great | | | | best place to be for paying attention. |
| job. When they hear what they'd rather not | | | | |
| they go out and kick the cat, dog, or | | | | Remember the reason you wanted this feedback. |
| punching bag, whatever is handy, have a few | | | | |
| drinks, or telephone all their friends. | | | | Finally, thank the person for their feedback |
| | | | (even though privately you may not agree with |
| "No one can make you feel inferior without | | | | it). The fact they gave it to you gives you |
| your consent." | | | | the option of choosing to act on it, consider |
| | | | it or simply just ignore it. |
| Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) | | | | |
| | | | Receiving constructive feedback needn't be an |
| To receive honest, constructive feedback is | | | | anxiety filled experience. Having the |
| much like receiving a gift, whether we think | | | | attitude that feedback is a gift in disguise |
| so or not at the time. The challenge is to | | | | may be what will enable you to move mountains |
| receive feedback with an open mind and learn | | | | for you in the long term. |
| from it, and disregard our natural instinct | | | | |
| to defend our selves or our actions. | | | | Now back to putting the zazazoom into my |
| | | | sizzleless website! |