Turning Negative Feedback into Positive Change

In a workplace setting, negative feedback involves disappointment, frustration, or criticism regarding your performance or behavior.

Receiving negative feedback can be upsetting and stressful, since we’re generally invested in our careers and want to make a good impression, says Octavia Goredema, career coach and author of the audiobook “How to Change Careers.”

However, it’s important to look at negative feedback as an asset that can help you be better, says Goredema. 

Research shows that proactively asking for feedback is linked to better job performance and that receiving negative feedback can help people improve their performance, effectiveness, and leadership abilities.

Who Usually Dishes Out Negative Feedback?

These are some common sources of negative feedback:

• Managers: Managers or supervisors often provide feedback based on factors such as your professionalism in the workplace, your performance versus their expectations, or your adherence to company policy.
• Colleagues: Your peers or direct reports might provide feedback related to factors such as your leadership style, your behavior in the workplace, your workplace communication habits, or your ability to collaborate as a team.
• Clients: Feedback from clients and customers can highlight areas where your product, services, communication, or quality of work need improvement.
• Vendors: Vendors might provide feedback about factors such as your communication, operational efficiency, or timeliness.

Negative feedback is sometimes received through professional channels such as performance appraisals. Or, your manager may deliver it to you privately, either in person or over email, says Goredema.

However, she says you may also be on the receiving end of negative feedback in a team meeting or group email, which can be especially mortifying.

Negative Feedback Sounds Like...

These are some examples of negative feedback:

• Communication: "Your communication style in meetings tends to dominate the conversation, making it difficult for others to share their thoughts."
• Quality of work: "The recent report you submitted contained several factual errors and was not up to the client’s standards."
• Timeliness: "You have missed project deadlines on more than one occasion, which has impacted the team's overall progress."
• Collaboration: "Your colleagues have reported that you often make decisions without consulting or informing them on team projects you’re supposed to be working on together."
• Customer service: “Several customers have reported that your tone has been harsh and that your manner could be more helpful.”
• Attention to detail: "Your slides contained numerous spelling and grammatical errors, which detracted from the professionalism of the presentation."
• Leadership: "As a team leader, your guidance and communication have been inconsistent, and team members have expressed confusion about their roles and deliverables."
• Problem-solving: "When issues arise, your approach to problem-solving often involves playing the blame game rather than working collaboratively to find solutions."
• Professionalism: "There have been reports of inappropriate remarks from you during client meetings, which creates a negative impression of our company.”

So You Received Negative Feedback—What Now?

Negative feedback can be hard to hear. These are some strategies that can help you receive it and process it:

• Take a few moments: First, take several deep breaths, says Goredema. “This will give you a few moments to get centered.”
• Listen actively: Listen actively to what the person is saying and give them your full attention.
• Avoid reacting defensively: Your instinct may be to get upset or react defensively, but it’s important to remain as professional as possible in the moment, says Goredema. “Do your best to process the feedback before reacting.”
• Ask questions to clarify your doubts: If you have any doubts about the concerns shared, Goredema recommends asking clarifying questions, so you understand the issue.
• Thank the person: If the person is sharing helpful, constructive feedback, it’s important to thank them. Expressing your gratitude for feedback demonstrates your willingness to receive input and improve.
• Reflect on it: Goredema recommends taking some time and space for yourself to reflect on the feedback and release any emotions you’re feeling. If you’re upset, she says it can be helpful to vent to a friend or loved one outside of your workplace.
• Accept it: Although it can be difficult, it’s important to keep an open mind to negative feedback. Look at it as an opportunity to improve.
• Don’t let it harm your confidence: Whatever you do, don’t allow negative feedback to destroy your confidence, says Goredema. “It’s almost impossible to consistently do everything right, all the time. Whatever went wrong won’t define you forever if you apply the feedback constructively and use it to your advantage.”
• Practice self-affirmation: Negative feedback can sometimes make you feel like a failure. It can be helpful to remind yourself of other aspects of your identity that are not in question, to put things in perspective and boost your confidence. For example, you could say: “Yes, my team thinks I’m a micromanager, but I can work on that. I am also a loving parent, community center volunteer, and talented singer.”
  

How to Turn Negative Feedback Into a Major Win

These are some strategies that can help you use negative feedback constructively, leading to positive change:

• Set actionable goals: It can be helpful to break down the feedback into specific, actionable goals. These can feel easier to work with and give you direction. It can be helpful to outline an action plan and timeline for each of these goals.
• Track your progress: Keep track of your progress. Hold yourself accountable to your goals. Review your action plan regularly to ensure you're making meaningful changes.
• Evaluate the outcome: Once you’ve implemented your plan, it’s important to evaluate the outcome, to see whether things have improved.
• Reflect and learn: Reflect on the changes you've made and the impact they've had. Identify what's working and what can be improved further.
• Seek feedback again: Check in with the person who gave you feedback. Show them that you’re committed to improving. Let them know what you’ve been doing on your end to correct the issue. Ask them whether your efforts have made a difference to them.
• Celebrate your successes: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements along the way. Recognize the positive outcomes that have resulted from your efforts.