How to Deal with Negative Management Feedback

Nobody is perfect, and at some point in our careers, we are going to receive negative feedback. Of course, sometimes, feedback delivered without any tact comes across as harsh criticism. Unfortunately, not all managers have excellent communication skills, and they can be deficient in the art of constructive criticism.  However, only you are in control of how you respond to the feedback.

Highly critical feedback can damage confidence and cause conflict in the workplace. One study ranked the leading causes of conflict in a work environment. Out of the 14 potential causes, the misuse of criticism was rated higher than things you would expect like competition. So, if you are on the receiving end of criticism, you need to learn how to manage negative feedback. There is usually something you can take from it to improve yourself rather than to let it create further problems.

Seven Ways to Deal with Negative Feedback

Let’s look at seven things that can help deal with negative feedback, even if the criticism isn’t warranted.

1. Never interrupt when getting negative feedback

A common mistake that many people make is when they only hear part of what is being said. They tend only to listen to criticism and filter out anything constructive that was said. Then the brain goes into overdrive, trying to think of appropriate responses.

To avoid this mistake, try and listen actively to everything your boss is telling you. Active listening will help you understand the whole picture, not just snippets.

Then, when you have the whole picture, you can decide if the negative feedback is fact or opinion and if it’s accurate. Only when you understand all of what is being said will be able to know the right way to respond.

2. Ask for clarification

Whether it’s in the moment or even a few days later, if there is something that you aren’t sure about, you should ask for further explanation. Management will usually see this as a good, positive thing. Asking for clarification shows you have taken on board what was said, and you are looking for ways to improve. It also means that you don’t waste time trying to rectify something that wasn’t present in the feedback.

Remember, there is no room for sarcasm when you are asking for clarification. 

3. Control the urge to be defensive

When on the receiving end of negative feedback, it’s only natural to look for ways to defend yourself. No one likes being put on the spot, and it can be tempting to start blaming somebody else—which is neither attractive nor professional. Or, you might try to find fault in what your manager is saying.

To prevent coming across as defensive, you can repeat some of the feedback. For example, you could ask: “Just so that I understand clearly, you wanted…”. Questions are a great way to defuse a situation so that it doesn’t become heated. The simplest way to avoid appearing defensive is to own up to any mistakes you made. This also shows that you can take responsibility for your actions.

4. Apologise

Maybe your manager is going the wrong way about providing feedback, and you feel it is they who should apologise. But if you have made an error, then say sorry. Of course, don’t overdo it and apologise too much. Still, one sincere apology is often enough to get past the situation.

5. Ask for time to process the feedback

When called to the boss’s office, it could take 5 minutes or 20 minutes. If you’re already under pressure, you run the risk of mishandling the situation. Sometimes, the feedback requires immediate attention. But other times, you can thank your boss or manager for the feedback. You could then ask if you can review the situation to consider everything. You could offer to come back with some solutions to the issues.

6. Don’t be impulsive

Getting negative feedback can quickly lead to a heated situation—especially if emotions are not under control. It’s surprising at how many people quit their job just moments after receiving criticism. One thing leads to another, and before you know it, impulses have taken over, and the person does something they later regret.

Fight the urge to act impulsively. Take a very deep breath and ask for some time to process the feedback. Walk away, try to calm down, and then analyse what was said.

7. Don’t take it to heart

Even though your manager is criticising something you have done, they probably aren’t criticising you as a person. It is only natural to feel upset by negative feedback, more so if it was poorly delivered. But remember that it’s not an attack against you as a human being. Learning how to let some things go is an essential step in dealing with negative feedback.