Feedback is a two-way street – you are either giving or receiving it.

When approached with purpose and positive intent, it can be a powerful catalyst for growth and positive change for individuals, teams, and organisations.

1. Are you open to feedback?

Are you open to information that can help you make positive changes?

Feedback can provide valuable insights that help us decide whether to change or adjust something. These changes can positively impact our performance and behaviour - this might mean developing a new skill, adjusting our behaviour, changing our mindset, or building our knowledge. One of the more challenging aspects of receiving feedback is evaluating whether to accept and action the feedback or reject it.

2. Know your Triggers

Why can feedback elicit a negative or defensive response?

Receiving negative feedback can make us feel threatened, triggering a fight-or-flight response. For some, even the term ‘critical feedback’ can trigger a bad memory or flood of negative emotions. Here are three common feedback triggers, outlined by authors Sheila Heen and Douglas Stone in the book  - Thanks for the Feedback - that may prevent us from accepting and actioning feedback.

The Truth Trigger: We feel the information is wrong, false, and untrue. For example, you might get feedback that you are micromanaging when you intended to support a new staff member.

The Relationship Trigger: We do not value or respect the source of the feedback. For example, “Why would I listen to you? I’m more senior and have been here longer.”

The Identity Trigger: Feedback conflicts with our self-view or identity. For example, being told your direct communication style is unempathetic when you believe you are empathetic.

These triggers can prevent us from understanding feedback and missing opportunities for growth.

Feedback can uncover our blind spots and optimise our performance, relationships, job satisfaction, and career progression.

3. Adopting a Growth Mindset

Can we reframe our attitude to see feedback as positive?

You might be stuck in a fixed mindset if you find yourself giving up easily, avoiding challenges (through fear of failure), ignoring feedback, or 
feeling threatened by other people’s success.

Shifting to a growth mindset helps us embrace challenges, view mistakes as learning opportunities, welcome criticism, and find inspiration in the success of others. This mindset fosters motivation, resilience, and appreciation for the non-linear growth journey.

4. Responding to Feedback

We receive feedback daily or weekly from our family, friends, colleagues, and, importantly, from ourselves. Whether the feedback is right or wrong, or useful or not, consider the following:

• Your triggers

• Your mindset - fixed or growth

• Your level of self-awareness and blind spots

• Understanding the root cause

• Asking for specific examples when in doubt

• Adjourning and revisiting if you feel defensive or emotional

• Simply saying - “Thanks for the feedback.”