{"id":538,"date":"2023-09-21T18:40:58","date_gmt":"2023-09-21T18:40:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/chapter\/how-do-you-respond-to-criticism\/"},"modified":"2025-10-16T02:37:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T02:37:20","slug":"how-do-you-respond-to-criticism","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/content.one.lumenlearning.com\/businesscommunication\/chapter\/how-do-you-respond-to-criticism\/","title":{"raw":"Learn It 10.4.1 Responding to Feedback","rendered":"Learn It 10.4.1 Responding to Feedback"},"content":{"raw":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li>Recognize the important points of responding professionally to feedback<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Understand how to keep professional even when you're upset with people or situations<\/li>\r\n\t<li>Understand how to write responses to feedback<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<h2>Responding to Feedback<\/h2>\r\n<p>How you respond to correction, criticism, and negative feedback demonstrates who you are and contributes to how you are perceived by others in your work environment. Thus, it is essential to learn how to take criticism gracefully and treat these instances as opportunities to grow. If you immediately shut down and act defensively, you're unlikely to learn and grow from past mistakes and you risk developing a reputation as someone who is hard to work with.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<h2>Positive Responses<\/h2>\r\n<p>The first step in receiving criticism is to [pb_glossary id=\"2353\"]listen actively[\/pb_glossary] and make a concerted effort not to be defensive. Remember that giving criticism can be almost as hard as receiving it, so neither you nor your critic are likely to be entirely comfortable. Once your reviewer has given their feedback\u2014whether in person or in writing\u2014the following effective tools can help you respond:<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Gratitude.<\/strong> Avoid extremes: don\u2019t get gushy or pretend it doesn\u2019t hurt. Just say thanks for your feedback.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Questions.<\/strong> Avoid statements until you\u2019ve asked clarifying questions to clear up anything you are unsure about.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Restatements.<\/strong> \u201cI hear you saying\u2026\u201d<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Request for solutions.<\/strong> Ask for suggested solutions. Simple is essential; one or two is enough.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Happiness.<\/strong> Do suggested solutions make sense? Will you improve as a worker and improve your relationship with others when you alter your behavior? If the path forward isn\u2019t inviting, you\u2019ll avoid it.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Follow-up.<\/strong> Ask for a check-in meeting two weeks later for a progress report. Four weeks is too long. If your behaviors elicit negative feedback, solve them quickly.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Gratitude again.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h3>Time<\/h3>\r\n<p>Sometimes it's worth taking a pause and delaying your response, rather than responding with your first reaction (which could likely end up being an overreaction). Correction can be tough to hear. Listen, and if necessary, ask for some time to think it over. Be honest in your responses, and don't be afraid to ask for time, \u201cThis is hard to hear. Could I have an hour to digest your feedback?\u201d<\/p>\r\n<h3>Transparency<\/h3>\r\n<p>Include those who were impacted by behaviors that need change. Explain what you\u2019re working on and corrective actions. You improve your credibility when others know where you\u2019re going. In a few days, ask them how you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\r\n<p>Responding well to negative feedback builds character, increases influence, and strengthens connections. According to communications expert Jack Griffin, there is a six-step process that you can use to respond to negative feedback in a constructive manner.[footnote]Jack Griffin. \u201cHow To Say It At Work.\u201d 1998.[\/footnote]<\/p>\r\n<blockquote>\r\n<p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong>\u00a0Accept criticism as an opportunity. All criticism, even unmerited criticism is useful to you. Criticism, after all, may actually point out things that you are doing ineffectively or poorly\u2014things you could do better.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Step 2<\/strong>:\u00a0Fight the impulse to respond defensively. Listen and learn.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Step 3:\u00a0<\/strong>Realize that the criticism is a perception, nothing more.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Step 4<\/strong>:\u00a0Do not meekly accept unjust or unfounded criticism, but don\u2019t reject it. Learn from it. \u00a0Learn about creating more positive impressions.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Step 5:<\/strong>\u00a0Seize the opportunity to respond to criticism, to communicate in a way that can strengthen and enhance your relationship with your boss.<\/p>\r\n<p><strong>Step 6<\/strong>: While listening to criticism, demonstrate that you are hearing the criticism.<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n<h2>Unproductive Responses to Avoid<\/h2>\r\n<p>Of course, while there are a variety of good ways to respond, there are poor or unproductive ways to respond to criticism. Here are examples of how <strong>not<\/strong> to respond.<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s your fault too.\u201d<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making it personal.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being too detached.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimizing.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arguing.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling attacked.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finger pointing.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excuse making.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Denial.<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019ll never be good enough.\u201d<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p>Negative responses to feedback delay growth, impede progress, and result in loss of respect by peers.<\/p>\r\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">\r\n<p>[ohm2_question height=\"500\"]14849[\/ohm2_question]<\/p>\r\n<\/section>","rendered":"<section class=\"textbox learningGoals\">\n<ul>\n<li>Recognize the important points of responding professionally to feedback<\/li>\n<li>Understand how to keep professional even when you&#8217;re upset with people or situations<\/li>\n<li>Understand how to write responses to feedback<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Responding to Feedback<\/h2>\n<p>How you respond to correction, criticism, and negative feedback demonstrates who you are and contributes to how you are perceived by others in your work environment. Thus, it is essential to learn how to take criticism gracefully and treat these instances as opportunities to grow. If you immediately shut down and act defensively, you&#8217;re unlikely to learn and grow from past mistakes and you risk developing a reputation as someone who is hard to work with.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2>Positive Responses<\/h2>\n<p>The first step in receiving criticism is to <a class=\"glossary-term\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-describedby=\"definition\" href=\"#term_538_2353\">listen actively<\/a> and make a concerted effort not to be defensive. Remember that giving criticism can be almost as hard as receiving it, so neither you nor your critic are likely to be entirely comfortable. Once your reviewer has given their feedback\u2014whether in person or in writing\u2014the following effective tools can help you respond:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Gratitude.<\/strong> Avoid extremes: don\u2019t get gushy or pretend it doesn\u2019t hurt. Just say thanks for your feedback.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Questions.<\/strong> Avoid statements until you\u2019ve asked clarifying questions to clear up anything you are unsure about.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Restatements.<\/strong> \u201cI hear you saying\u2026\u201d<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Request for solutions.<\/strong> Ask for suggested solutions. Simple is essential; one or two is enough.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Happiness.<\/strong> Do suggested solutions make sense? Will you improve as a worker and improve your relationship with others when you alter your behavior? If the path forward isn\u2019t inviting, you\u2019ll avoid it.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Follow-up.<\/strong> Ask for a check-in meeting two weeks later for a progress report. Four weeks is too long. If your behaviors elicit negative feedback, solve them quickly.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Gratitude again.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>Time<\/h3>\n<p>Sometimes it&#8217;s worth taking a pause and delaying your response, rather than responding with your first reaction (which could likely end up being an overreaction). Correction can be tough to hear. Listen, and if necessary, ask for some time to think it over. Be honest in your responses, and don&#8217;t be afraid to ask for time, \u201cThis is hard to hear. Could I have an hour to digest your feedback?\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Transparency<\/h3>\n<p>Include those who were impacted by behaviors that need change. Explain what you\u2019re working on and corrective actions. You improve your credibility when others know where you\u2019re going. In a few days, ask them how you\u2019re doing.<\/p>\n<p>Responding well to negative feedback builds character, increases influence, and strengthens connections. According to communications expert Jack Griffin, there is a six-step process that you can use to respond to negative feedback in a constructive manner.<a class=\"footnote\" title=\"Jack Griffin. \u201cHow To Say It At Work.\u201d 1998.\" id=\"return-footnote-538-1\" href=\"#footnote-538-1\" aria-label=\"Footnote 1\"><sup class=\"footnote\">[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p><strong>Step 1:<\/strong>\u00a0Accept criticism as an opportunity. All criticism, even unmerited criticism is useful to you. Criticism, after all, may actually point out things that you are doing ineffectively or poorly\u2014things you could do better.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 2<\/strong>:\u00a0Fight the impulse to respond defensively. Listen and learn.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 3:\u00a0<\/strong>Realize that the criticism is a perception, nothing more.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 4<\/strong>:\u00a0Do not meekly accept unjust or unfounded criticism, but don\u2019t reject it. Learn from it. \u00a0Learn about creating more positive impressions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 5:<\/strong>\u00a0Seize the opportunity to respond to criticism, to communicate in a way that can strengthen and enhance your relationship with your boss.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Step 6<\/strong>: While listening to criticism, demonstrate that you are hearing the criticism.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>Unproductive Responses to Avoid<\/h2>\n<p>Of course, while there are a variety of good ways to respond, there are poor or unproductive ways to respond to criticism. Here are examples of how <strong>not<\/strong> to respond.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s your fault too.\u201d<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Making it personal.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Being too detached.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minimizing.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Arguing.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Feeling attacked.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finger pointing.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Excuse making.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Denial.<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cI\u2019ll never be good enough.\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Negative responses to feedback delay growth, impede progress, and result in loss of respect by peers.<\/p>\n<section class=\"textbox tryIt\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" id=\"ohm14849\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/ohm.one.lumenlearning.com\/multiembedq.php?id=14849&theme=lumen&iframe_resize_id=ohm14849&source=tnh&show_question_numbers\" width=\"100%\" height=\"500\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n<\/section>\n<hr class=\"before-footnotes clear\" \/><div class=\"footnotes\"><ol><li id=\"footnote-538-1\">Jack Griffin. \u201cHow To Say It At Work.\u201d 1998. <a href=\"#return-footnote-538-1\" class=\"return-footnote\" aria-label=\"Return to footnote 1\">&crarr;<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><div class=\"glossary\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\" id=\"definition\">definition<\/span><template id=\"term_538_2353\"><div class=\"glossary__definition\" role=\"dialog\" data-id=\"term_538_2353\"><div tabindex=\"-1\"><p>Active listening is a communication technique that involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and then remembering what is being said, demonstrating genuine engagement and empathy with the speaker.<\/p>\n<\/div><button><span aria-hidden=\"true\">&times;<\/span><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Close definition<\/span><\/button><\/div><\/template><\/div>","protected":false},"author":9,"menu_order":20,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"How Do You Respond to Criticism?\",\"author\":\"Robert Danielson\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"},{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Seven Positive Responses to Negative Feedback\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Leadership Freak\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/leadershipfreak.blog\/2013\/11\/13\/seven-positive-responses-to-negative-feedback\/\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"part":519,"module-header":"learn_it","content_attributions":[{"type":"original","description":"How Do You Respond to 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