Best Practices for Responding to Criticism Professionally

Receiving feedback can be challenging, but how we handle it makes all the difference. Embracing a non-defensive mindset allows us to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. Here’s how: 🔹 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁: When receiving feedback, take a moment to breathe and process. This pause helps prevent a knee-jerk reaction and allows you to consider the feedback objectively. 🔹 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘆: Focus on truly understanding the feedback being given. Listen without interrupting or formulating a response in your mind. Show that you value the other person’s perspective. 🔹 𝗔𝘀𝗸 𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Clarify any points you’re unsure about. Asking questions demonstrates your commitment to understanding and improving, and it can provide valuable insights into how others perceive your work. 🔹 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁: It’s natural to feel defensive, but try to distinguish between the emotional impact of the feedback and the factual information it contains. This helps in addressing the constructive aspects of the feedback. 🔹 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲: Thank the person for their feedback. It takes courage to give constructive criticism, and showing appreciation fosters a culture of open communication and mutual respect. 🔹 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝘁: Take time to reflect on the feedback and identify actionable steps for improvement. Use the feedback as a tool for personal and professional growth. Non-defensive responses to feedback are a sign of maturity and a growth mindset. By responding thoughtfully, we can turn feedback into a powerful catalyst for continuous improvement and stronger relationships.  ---------- Hey, I'm Kevin, I am the host of Working Wisdom and The Toxic Leadership Podcast and provide daily posts and insights to help transform organizational culture and leadership. ➡️ Follow for more ♻️ Repost to share with others (or save for later)

Insults hurt. Unless ... you know how to handle them. Your response changes everything. Picture this: You're presenting. Someone interrupts, "That's not realistic." Your face burns. Heart races. Everyone stares. The real power isn't in the insult. It's in the gap between feeling and responding. Master it, and you'll master any situation. Here are 8 powerful ways to turn insults into opportunities: 1. Ask Better Questions 💬 "They just called my idea stupid in front of everyone!" ➟ Pause, then ask "Could you help me understand why?" ➟ Let them explain their perspective fully ➟ Watch as defensiveness melts away 💡 Questions shift pressure back to the critic, making them reflect Try: Practice saying "Tell me more about that" in a mirror tonight 2. Rewrite Your Story 💬 "They must think I'm totally incompetent" ➟ Replace "They hate me" with "They might be stressed" ➟ Focus on facts, not assumptions ➟ Remember: It's rarely personal 💡 Our interpretation of events shapes our emotional response Try: Write down one negative thought and its positive alternative 3. Use Smart Humor 💬 "Someone mocked my presentation style" ➟ Respond with light self-deprecating humor ➟ Keep it gentle, never biting ➟ Smile genuinely while delivering 💡 Humor signals confidence and reduces tension instantly Try: Think of one friendly comeback for common criticism 4. Practice SOBER Response 💬 "I react too quickly when insulted" ➟ Stop ➟ Observe your body ➟ Breathe deeply ➟ Expand awareness ➟ Respond thoughtfully 💡 This method gives your rational brain time to catch up Try: Take three deep breaths before responding next time 5. Speak Diplomatically 💬 "I never know how to address disrespect" ➟ Describe the situation factually ➟ Express feelings calmly ➟ Assert needs clearly 💡 Structure provides confidence in tense moments Try: Write down one situation using this format 6. Create Mental Distance 💬 "Insults feel too personal" ➟ Imagine putting the insult in a "Not Personal" bucket ➟ Watch it dissolve ➟ Respond from clarity 💡 Physical visualization reduces emotional reactivity Try: Draw your "Not Personal" bucket and keep it visible 7. Prepare Your Blueprint 💬 "I freeze when criticized" ➟ Have two ready responses: - "Interesting point, tell me more" - "I see it differently because..." ➟ Practice them regularly 💡 Preparation eliminates panic in tough moments Try: Memorize one go-to response today 8. Welcome Challenges 💬 "I dread difficult interactions" ➟ See each insult as growth opportunity ➟ Think: "Great, I can practice staying calm" ➟ Focus on your response, not their words 💡 Mindset shifts transform threats into opportunities Try: Say "This is my chance to grow" next time you're challenged Insults are temporary. Your response is permanent. Which technique will you practice today? ♻️ Repost if this resonated with you! 🔖 Follow me Suren Samarchyan for more.

"You completely missed the mark." Getting constructive feedback can feel like a career crisis. Often followed by the knee-jerk reaction to defend yourself. So, as I prepared to deliver feedback to a great staff member, I was bracing myself. Instead, I got a master class in how to receive constructive criticism. As I shared my thoughts with her, she was nodding, and taking notes. And then she said, "Thank you." Compared to the normal defensive body language and "yes, buts" I was used to, she was a model of grace under pressure. Here are 7 strategies that set her apart: 1️⃣ The Shhh... Rule ❌ Immediate emotional reactions ✅ Say "thank you," and sit on it for now 💡Why? ↳ It gives your emotions time to cool down ↳ Once calm, you can objectively process the info 2️⃣ Take Careful Notes ❌ Relying on memory ✅ Write down what you heard word for word 💡Why? ↳ Shows you're taking it seriously ↳ Helps you spot patterns over time 3️⃣ Ask the Right Question ❌ "Why are you criticizing me?" ✅ "What would you like to see instead?" 💡Why? ↳ Clarifies feedback and creates action items ↳ Shows you're solution-focused 4️⃣The Mirror Technique ❌ Guessing their meaning ✅ Reflect back: "What I'm hearing is..." 💡Why? ↳ Catches misunderstandings early ↳ Shows you're actively listening 5️⃣ The Thoughtful Follow-Up ❌ Avoidance ✅ Schedule a check-in 2-3 weeks later 💡Why? ↳ Demonstrates accountability ↳ Builds trust and strengthens the relationship 6️⃣ The Documentation Log ❌ Treat each feedback session as isolated ✅ Keep a feedback journal 💡Why? ↳ Spot recurring themes ↳ Some bosses say they gave feedback and didn't 7️⃣ The Reframe ❌ Taking feedback as personal attacks ✅ Ask yourself: "If my best friend got this feedback..." 💡Why? ↳ Creates emotional distance ↳ Leads to better solutions Most managers want to give feedback because they want you to do better. They're investing their time in your growth. Do you have a tip for handling tough feedback? Share it in the comments👇 🎉You've got this and I've got you!🎉 ♻️ Share to help people with their professional growth 🔔 Follow Sarah Baker Andrus for more career strategies 📌Want job search support? DM me to chat!

Tough Feedback? Here’s How to Turn It into Your Next Big Win Harsh criticism can feel like a gut punch. But the best leaders don’t just survive it—they use it to level up.  Here’s how to turn even the toughest feedback into fuel for professional growth: 🔥 7 Ways to Transform Tough Feedback into Career Acceleration 🔥  1️⃣ Separate Signal from Noise ↳ Not all criticism is created equal.   ✅ Ask: What part of this, even if poorly delivered, could make me better?” 2️⃣ Manage Your Initial Reaction ↳ Your response to criticism defines your trajectory.   ✅ Try the 24-hour rule absorb first, respond later.  3️⃣ Focus on the Message, Not the Method ↳ Bad delivery ≠ bad advice.   ✅ Reframe harsh words in neutral language before deciding their value.  4️⃣ Look for Patterns, Not One-Off Comments ↳ One opinion is data. Repeated feedback is a pattern. ✅ Track recurring themes to spot areas for real improvement.  5️⃣ Turn Critics into Coaches ↳ Your toughest critics can be your greatest asset.   ✅ Ask follow-up questions that show your commitment to growth. 6️⃣ Build Your ‘Criticism Resilience’ ↳ Growth isn’t about avoiding discomfort—it’s about bouncing back faster.   ✅ After each tough review, find one key improvement to implement. 7️⃣ Let Feedback Refine You, Not Define You ↳ Criticism should shape your approach, not shake your confidence. ✅ Separate feedback on your work from your self-worth. 📌 PS... The strongest leaders aren’t those who avoid criticism—they’re the ones who use it to sharpen their edge. 👉 Know someone navigating tough feedback? Share this. 🚀 Join 74,000+ leaders learning to turn obstacles into opportunities.  🔔 Follow me Harry Karydes for more research-backed frameworks on leadership & growth.