How to receive a feedback?

Accepting negative feedback can be challenging. Criticism, even constructive ones, can affect some of us more than we would like and thus significantly affect our work motivation. So how to properly receive feedback and prevent its negative impact? 

Listen carefully

Many of us simply "turn off" when listening to criticism. It's basically normal, it's a defense mechanism of our psyche. therefore, open it up and listen to what your superior or colleague has in your heart.

Realize that this is nothing personal

Be aware that a reaction to your work performance or behavior is not a reaction to your person as such. Therefore, it is not a private conversation but a purely professional one. It should not touch you more deeply. The goal is to think about whether you can improve your performance. If so - how, or together with a superior to figure out what incites certain inappropriate behavior. Take the interview as a solution to a certain task.

Thank you for your feedback and take the time to respond

It's normal if you can't respond to negative feedback right away. If necessary, tell your employer or colleague that you thank him for your feedback, but that you still need to think about it yourself, or think about solving the problem. Find a colleague later and complete the conversation. If you believe the criticism was unwarranted and does not match your behavior or performance, don't be afraid to say so. In this case, you can ask another collaborator for an opinion.

Incorporate feedback into your career as a normal thing

Your relationship with feedback can change for the better if you make it a common thing. How to do it? Simply ask your supervisor for feedback after each project or major role. You can grow continuously and no feedback will surprise you in the future.