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Yesterday, we wrote about requesting feedback at work, and how it can actually positively impact your career. Now, it’s one thing to actively seek and request feedback, and an entirely different thing how you receive this feedback. Whether the feedback received is positive or negative is actually less important, to some extent, to how you manage to receive it and use it to your advantage.

• If you’re receiving positive feedback: now although this scenario may seem to be the easiest one, as in “just smile, nod, and receive your manager’s or mentor’s accolades”, it may require a bit more than just acknowledging how great you are. Acknowledge your achievement and thank your manager or co-workers for recognizing you, but also get more specific as to your performance, asking for what you could have done even better. As a dear big corporate sister pointed out to me, never sleep on your laurels, and always ask what more you can bring to the table, and conversely, what more in terms of experience, know-how and recommendations, you can also get. If there are more challenging areas or topics that you would be particularly interested in exploring, now is the opportunity to broach the subject! Use a positive feedback or review session as a launching pad to bigger and better opportunities  within your department and your company. And do not hesitate to take advantage of your successes to propel you to the next level, it’s always a win-win for both yourself and the company!
• If you receive negative feedback: this scenario is the least pleasant one, but also presents growth opportunities in its own right. Tread carefully as you’re being read the riot act. Do not let negative emotions surface and overpower your professionalism. Accept the feedback, thank your manager or co-worker, take a minute to breathe…and start asking your own questions! Ask for specific examples or instances when you failed to meet expectations? If you do not agree with these, speak up in a professional and constructive manner by outlining the work you actually did complete. Do not resort to ineffective back-and-forth with the person providing feedback. State your point, and respectfully disagree if necessary. Also, devise a plan with your manager or co-worker to address those areas where you received negative feedback, establish a deadline and commit to it! Through it all, please make sure to take detailed notes that you can refer to in the future. And keep level-headed, as a negative review may certainly be unpleasant, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to improve and to show your boss and co-workers what you are capable of.

How do you react when receiving positive or negative feedback?

The Corporate Sister.