When people give you constructive feedback, it isn't always telling you what your strengths are. Most of the time when people want to talk about your work, even if it is meant to help you and phrased in the nicest way, it's about something you're doing wrong. 

No matter how gentle the critique, receiving constructive critism hurts. It can feel like a personal assault, and it makes us immediately look for ways to defend ourselves rather than listen and learn. This is unfortunate, because if we can learn to use this feedback, we can grow in so many different ways. Here's how.

Stop your first reaction

Nobody enjoys negative feedback. In a study conducted by Kansas State University, Eastern Kentucky University, and Texas A&M University, when employees were divided up by how they learned best. It turns out that even those that valued self improvement and striving for excellence did not enjoy negative feedback. No group did.

When faced with a painful comment, freezing your first reaction can help keep you composed and give you a chance to listen. Even if you only hesitate for a second before reacting, it's one more second you have to choose a good response.

Change your mindset

Long term, the best way to get use out of the feedback is to change your mind set. Instead of looking at the feedback as a personal blow, look at it as a valuable and rare gift. It's often just as unpleasant to give feedback as it is to get (you're not the first one who has reacted with a quick defensive cut). Most people would rather overlook mistakes as much as possible instead of letting it go.

As you grow in your career and advance up the ladder, critiques become even more rare, as subordinates feel uncomfortable critiquing you, and those above you often don't have time. When someone critiques you, they're showing you that they care enough to help.

Feedback is only useful if you use it. If you can learn how to listen to valuable insights, you can grow in your career and become better, thanks to the help of your peers.

Learn more by clicking on the link below:

Ways successful people respond to feedback