Constructive criticism and feedback are vital in every aspect of your life, especially professionally. It isn’t always easy to receive, however. One of the most essential skills you need is to develop the ability to accept constructive feedback. Even when we know that the feedback is valid and necessary to stimulate growth, it is instinctive to respond with resistance. If the idea of receiving constructive criticism makes you uncomfortable, you’re not alone. In this blog, we’ll look at ways to maximize constructive feedback and ensure success moving forward.

How to Accept Constructive Feedback

It’s easy to feel defensive when we hear seemingly negative things about ourselves, especially if they may be true. Even if you think it isn’t true, listen actively to it. Consider what is being said and how you can translate it into actions and behavior that improve your performance.

Ask Questions

An essential part of listening actively is asking questions that help you understand more deeply. To be genuinely open to constructive criticism, you must ask questions that help you understand the criticism more deeply. This enables you to fully absorb the feedback and be able to put it to good use. Simply saying, “Tell me more about that,” is a great way to demonstrate your desire to understand the other person clearly.

Take Notes

It is hard to remember everything you’ve heard when receiving feedback on the job. Our emotions and thoughts can hinder our retention and reduce our absorption of information. Don’t be afraid to take notes when receiving feedback. If possible, focus on one area and take notes so you can revisit the discussion later and review the feedback.

Foster a Growth Mindset

When you have a growth mindset, how you think about feedback changes. Instead of being defensive and resistant to change, you focus on improving. A positive growth mindset helps you move forward and makes you more receptive to constructive feedback opportunities. Being open to feedback also results in a more positive reaction to others giving feedback. This creates an environment of trust and positivity that encourages constructive feedback and growth for everyone.

Conclusion

Hearing constructive criticism can be challenging, but feedback is intended to stimulate growth and inspire change. If you can foster a growth mindset, take notes, and ask questions, you can put constructive feedback to good use.

Are you looking to move forward in your career? ABBTECH can help you secure your next role.

You’ve landed a new job, and you want to make every day at work count. To achieve your goal, you need to position yourself for instant success. Find more about how to have a successful first 100 days at your new job.

Ultimately, there are many things you can do to succeed from the get-go in your new role. Here are five tips to help you have a successful first 100 days at your new job.

1. Establish Expectations for Your Job

Find out what’s expected of you. Ask your manager what you’ll need to do in the first few weeks and months in your job. From here, you can create job goals.

Track your progress as you work toward accomplishing your job goals. If you feel you’re falling behind on achieving these goals, consult with your manager. Next, you and your manager can determine the best way to help you get back on track.

2. Open the Lines of Communication

Introduce yourself to team members and various employees across your company. This helps you lay the groundwork for positive relationships with your peers. Moreover, it gives you opportunities to open the lines of communication.

Remain access to colleagues as you become accustomed to your new job. You can get in touch with peers if you need help along the way. And your colleagues can reach out to you if they have any concerns or questions as well.

3. Demonstrate Your Skills and Expertise

Show your team what you bring to the table. To do so, participate in meetings and share your thoughts and feedback. You can also perform your job to the best of your ability. Apply your skills and knowledge to your work, and verify your work meets your employer’s expectations.

Continue to fine-tune your skill set, too. For example, if your employer offers a training program, join it. This allows you to grow your skill set or enhance your existing skills. Plus, it shows your employer you’re willing to do whatever it takes to succeed in your job.

4. Remain Patient

Resist the urge to try to take on too much work at once. Conversely, give each work task that comes your way the attention it deserves. Verify each task is completed with precision and care. If you encounter problems as you complete work tasks, consult with your manager.

Finally, if you make a mistake in your initial days at a new job, learn from it. No employee is perfect, and there may be a learning curve in your job. Fortunately, every mistake provides a learning opportunity. Use your mistake to find ways to get better at your job. Most importantly, use your knowledge to avoid making the same mistake twice.

Find a Job That Suits You Perfectly

If you want a job that you can enjoy for the first 100 days and beyond, ABBTECH can help. We are a professional staffing agency that partners with job seekers of all skill and experience levels. Our recruiters can learn about your career goals and help you achieve them. To get started, explore our job board today.