Asking for and receiving feedback, while a necessary step in finalizing a project, can be humbling and deflating, depending on your disposition. For example, when you’ve finished the first draft of a report, the time to celebrate that checkmark on your to-do list can be fleeting – you know the next step is to share your draft with peers for their honest feedback. There may even be multiple rounds of feedback. You might feel a little anxious and vulnerable. Will people love the draft report, or will you get it back with many red lines and questions?
The mental load of waiting for, reviewing, and processing feedback is often underestimated. As someone who constantly has their work looked at by others with a critical eye, I always take a deep breath before I dive into their feedback.
Here are a few strategies that I use to get in the right mindset for receiving feedback:
Consider the Source of Your Feedback and the Focus of Their Review
Is this person an expert on the topic that your report addresses? Did you ask for their feedback because they can offer a particular perspective? Did you provide guidance on what to look at, such as a point made in a section or the report’s overall tone? Reminding yourself of your reviewer’s background and experience and what you asked them to review can help you prepare for what types of feedback you might get. It’s never fun to be blindsided by what your reviewer decided to focus on in your report.
Don’t Take It Personally
Of course, you could still be blindsided by the feedback you receive. Try not to think of all those red lines as personal attacks on your knowledge and skills. Remember that your reviewer believes their feedback will help make your piece better. Also, remember that a reviewer’s feedback could be a personal preference instead of a substantive suggestion. You don’t have to agree with and implement any of it unless perhaps it’s from your direct manager or project lead.
Ask for Clarification as Needed
Sometimes, feedback can get muddled up in tracked changes and comments, and that confusion can lead you into a downward spiral of frustration and ill feelings. If the input is unclear, don’t waste time figuring it out on your own. Ask the reviewer to confirm your understanding by providing more information. An actual conversation might also help clear things up quickly and efficiently.
Process Feedback and Be Open to Ideas
After reviewing and discussing a person’s feedback, take the time you need to process it. You don’t have to make any decisions immediately. Also, when you’ve put so much time and effort into something, it can be hard to believe your first draft was unsatisfactory or incomplete. A reviewer might suggest adding other content or going in a different direction, which can be challenging to digest. However, don’t shut down the ideas immediately, especially if they have the potential to strengthen and elevate your piece.
Recognize When You’ve Made a Mistake
I find that when I get a lot of unexpected, suggested revisions and questions, it’s likely because I didn’t communicate what I was trying to accomplish or I flat-out misunderstood the assignment. Don’t get hung up on what went wrong. Instead, acknowledge the mistake and focus on what you can do in your next draft to correct it, whether implementing a reviewer’s feedback or starting from scratch with a clearer understanding of what needs to be addressed.
Receiving feedback is not always fun but is necessary for career development and growth. What kind of a career journey would it be if you weren’t constantly bombarded with positive and negative feedback? While usually fruitful, not all feedback sessions can lead to improvements. And sometimes the process can linger and impact how you feel about your work and the people who shared their feedback. Use this opportunity to reflect and learn, then move on to the next draft or project.
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About the Author: Marcia Silva is the director of marketing and communications at the Higher Education Recruitment Consortium. She strives to create engaging, research-informed content that empowers job seekers and employers committed to creating inclusive workplaces. She is passionate about using digital media and technology to encourage participation and strengthen communities.