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Why We Really Hate Getting Feedback

Why We Really Hate Getting Feedback
Nick Dolding | Digital Vision | Getty Images

Feedback is like death -


Your first reaction: shock.




Later, after seeing the feedback, a few managers would demand we call Forum immediately: "You gave me the wrong report," they'd say. "It's got my name, but it's not mine."

2) Getting negative feedback threatens our self-image, our identity. Some experts compare it to dying.

Sound melodramatic? Well, let's just say you may not feel like kicking off your shoes and dancing on the tables.

3) Denial, depression, anger . . . These are stages of grief, according to psychiatrist Elizabeth Kübler-Ross. Also, typical feedback reactions.

4) Want a second opinion on your feedback? Ok, take it home, and ask your friends and family what they think.

Unfortunately, they'll probably agree with it.

Let's say you scored low on listening. Your spouse will say, "Honey, I've been saying that forever. You didn't listen to me yesterday. Or last Thursday. Or 2001-2010—the entire decade."

5) What are your strengths? Those often get missed, and they're extremely important.

One executive coach has clients read all the positive comments—aloud—just to make sure the clients actually hear them.

6) What's your next step?

Consider thanking people for their feedback. "Wait a minute," you may be thinking, "what, exactly, am I thanking them for?"

Well, for their time, and for their candor.

7) Another option: ask for some specific examples, especially if you don't understand something.

For instance: "When you say, 'I'm not open to new ideas,' what do you mean?"

Then just listen. Don't argue, and don't debate how open you really are. Demonstrate it.

8) You can also make a few promises.

For example: "I realize I need to work on my body language at meetings. I intend to stop rolling my eyes, and muttering under my breath."

Other person: "You also giggle uncontrollably."

You: "Ok, that too." Then ask: "Would it be alright to check back in a few weeks to see how I'm doing?"

9) It's possible, of course, that the entire feedback report is wrong, that others' perceptions are flawed.

There's comfort in that thought. It lasts about 5 seconds.

10) Because even if everyone's wrong, you've still got a problem: their perceptions.

And even if you think those perceptions are incomplete, ill-conceived, wrong-headed, bad-tempered, perverse, and idiotic—please see grief stages: anger—you've still got to manage them.


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