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Episode 29 How to Cope With Difficult Feedback
Manage episode 485841094 series 3618820
Receiving feedback, especially the difficult kind, can feel disorienting and emotional. But as a leader, learning how to process and respond to it effectively is key to your growth and success. In this episode, Sarah shares practical strategies to help you deal with tough feedback, reframe your response, and decide what’s useful to take on board, all while staying true to who you are.
Whether you're facing recent criticism or want to build a feedback-positive culture in your team, this episode is full of valuable insights to help you feel more empowered and less reactive.
Show Notes:
[00:00:00] - Welcome & Podcast Purpose
Sarah introduces Unstuck and Unstoppable, her mission, and who the podcast is for: ambitious female leaders who want to thrive with authenticity.
[00:02:00] – Why Difficult Feedback Is So Hard
Explores the emotional reactions feedback can trigger and why it’s not always objective or helpful.
[00:03:00] – Feedback Isn't Always Fair
Understanding that feedback can be inaccurate, biased, or based on others' projections, and why discernment matters.
[00:04:00] – A Personal Story of Tough Feedback
Sarah shares a pivotal early-career experience of receiving difficult feedback and how it helped her grow.
[00:05:00] – The 8 Strategies:
1. Don’t React Immediately
How to give yourself space to process emotions using reframing techniques like cognitive reappraisal and self-affirmation.
[00:06:00] – 2. Get More Data
Seek feedback from multiple sources to validate, challenge, or contextualise the criticism.
[00:07:00] – Client Examples: Reframing Feedback
Real-life stories of clients using 360 feedback and peer insights to shift perspective and regain confidence.
[00:09:00] – 3. Find the Wisdom in the Feedback
Work with a coach or reflect independently to determine what to take forward and what to let go.
[00:09:30] – 4. Make Your Changes Visible
Use symbolic or public actions to shift perceptions, especially in leadership roles.
[00:10:30] – 5. Don’t Isolate Yourself
Why avoiding people who gave you feedback or playing the victim doesn’t serve your growth, and how to reconnect.
[00:12:00] – 6. When Change Isn’t the Answer
What to do when feedback conflicts with your core strengths or style, and how to ask for understanding instead.
[00:13:00] – Balancing Preferences with Expectations
Navigating differences in working styles, like structure vs. spontaneity, and finding a shared understanding.
[00:14:00] – 7. Don’t Shrink or Play Small
Why negative feedback shouldn’t diminish your confidence—and how to check if external factors are impacting your performance.
[00:14:30] – 8. Create a Feedback Culture
Modeling feedback-seeking and giving behaviors as a leader to encourage a growth-focused environment.
[00:15:30] – Recap of the 8 Key Strategies
A quick summary of all the tools and ideas shared in the episode to manage and learn from difficult feedback.
Useful Links
Sign up for Weekly Career Inspiration
Learn about Leadership & Advancement Coaching Programmes
Join The Love What You Do Facebook Group
Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn
Rate & Review the Podcast
If you found this episode of Unstuck & Unstoppable helpful, please do rate and review it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
If you're kind enough to leave a review, please do let Sarah know so she can say thank you. You can always reach her at: [email protected]
Remember you're capable of more than you know. Shine brightly, lead boldly, and unlock the extraordinary potential within you.
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