Last updated on Jul 4, 2024

Here's how you can professionally manage negative feedback from senior stakeholders.

Receiving negative feedback from senior stakeholders can be daunting, but it is an inevitable part of professional growth and organizational development. The key is not just to survive these encounters but to use them as opportunities to foster better relationships and improve your work. By approaching negative feedback with the right mindset and strategies, you can turn potentially uncomfortable situations into valuable learning experiences.

1 Listen Carefully

When faced with criticism from senior stakeholders, your first step should be to listen actively. This means giving your full attention, not interrupting, and absorbing what is being said without immediately jumping to your own defense. Understanding their perspective can provide insights into their expectations and where there might be gaps between what was delivered and what was expected. Listening also shows respect and willingness to engage in a constructive dialogue, setting a positive tone for the conversation.

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Robin Brown

Head of Special Interest Clients FC at Santander UK PLC
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Through life, work and relationships you will always receive feedback, whether this is a thank you or something a little less savoury. How you approach receiving feedback is key to both dealing with it emotionally and learning from it to move forward and better yourself. Actively listening to feedback and understanding the point of view the person providing it has, is essential. Not only can you better understand the feedback you are being given, by moreover how it is affecting the other person or situation. And don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand it, or why it might be important.

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2 Stay Calm

It's natural to feel defensive or upset when receiving negative feedback, but maintaining composure is crucial. Take deep breaths and remind yourself that feedback is not a personal attack but a chance to learn and improve. Staying calm allows you to think clearly and respond appropriately, rather than reacting emotionally. This professional demeanor will be noticed and appreciated by your stakeholders, who are likely more interested in solutions than excuses.

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Robin Brown

Head of Special Interest Clients FC at Santander UK PLC
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A defensive attitude to receiving feedback will be far more hurtful to you in the long run than the feedback itself. Remember, the person giving you the constructive feedback is telling you to either continue, change or stop a behaviour, not only chastising you. Not delivering against an objective, for example, might be because you need to change the way you approach delivery, and feedback can give you insights and food for thought The failed delivery itself provoking the feedback? Just an indicator of something you need to work on. Always remember, life is a learning experience no matter your age or history, and feedback is a gift to keep you on this path. Don’t push it away, good or bad.

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3 Clarify Points

After listening, seek clarification on any points that are not clear. This ensures that you fully understand the feedback and prevents miscommunication. Ask open-ended questions to gather more information and get specifics. By doing so, you demonstrate your commitment to understanding their concerns and finding a resolution. It also allows you to start formulating a plan to address the issues raised.

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4 Acknowledge Concerns

Acknowledging the feedback you've received is an important step in managing the situation professionally. Thank them for their input and express your understanding of their concerns. This does not mean you agree with everything said, but it shows that you respect their viewpoint. Acknowledgment can de-escalate any tension and create a more collaborative atmosphere for discussing how to move forward.

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5 Offer Solutions

Once you've understood and acknowledged the feedback, it's time to offer solutions. Present a clear plan for how you intend to address the concerns raised. Be realistic about what can be achieved and set timelines for when they can expect to see changes. Offering solutions shows initiative and a proactive approach, which can help rebuild confidence in your abilities and in the project's success.

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6 Follow Up

Finally, follow-up is key in demonstrating that you take feedback seriously and are committed to continuous improvement. After implementing changes, check back with the stakeholders to ensure that the issues have been resolved to their satisfaction. This not only shows your dedication but also helps to prevent future misunderstandings and builds a stronger, more trusting relationship.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Krishna Pethaperumal

Full Stack Data & Business Analytics Consultant | MBA | Engineer | Visiting Faculty | Corporate Data Storytelling Workshops | Capstone Project Mentor
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Here's how you can professionally manage negative feedback from senior stakeholders [1] Stay Calm: Don’t take it personally. Keep your emotions in check [2] Identify the Gap: Understand there’s a gap between their expectations and your delivery [3] Clarify: Determine what specific expectations weren't met [4] Provide Solutions: Develop options to address the gap and meet their expectations [5] Make it Positive: Use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment and capability By maintaining composure and focusing on solutions, you can turn negative feedback into a chance to impress and grow

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Here's how you can professionally manage negative feedback from senior stakeholders.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen Carefully

2 Stay Calm

3 Clarify Points

4 Acknowledge Concerns

5 Offer Solutions

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

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Here's how you can professionally manage negative feedback from senior stakeholders.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen Carefully

2 Stay Calm

3 Clarify Points

4 Acknowledge Concerns

5 Offer Solutions

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

Rate this article

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