4 Of the worst ways to respond to negative feedback
In this article we will discuss four of the worst ways to respond to negative feedback, so you can steer clear of them in your own
Written by MyRevue Talks
Updated on 06/01/2023
<!-- x-tinymce/html --><h1><span style="background-color: rgb(255 255 255/var(--tw-bg-opacity));">Negative feedback is often seen as a bad thing, but in reality it can be incredibly valuable for businesses. It allows them to see where they are going wrong and make changes to improve their services or products. The key, however, is how you respond to the negative feedback. A bad response can turn a customer off your business and reinforce the idea that they’ve made the wrong choice by investing their money in your product. In this article we will discuss four of the worst ways to respond to negative feedback, so you can steer clear of them in your own business.</span><br></h1>
<h2><b>What is negative feedback?</b></h2>
<p>First, let's define negative feedback. Negative feedback is when someone provides criticism or constructive feedback that is unwelcome or unhelpful. This can be in the form of an evaluation at work, feedback on a project, or even just a casual conversation. It can be difficult to hear negative feedback, but it's important to remember that it's not personal and try to take it in stride.<br><br>There are a few different ways that people respond to negative feedback, and some are better than others. One of the worst ways to respond to negative feedback is getting defensive. When someone gives you negative feedback, it can be tempting to immediately jump to your own defense and try to explain away the criticism. However, this usually just makes the situation worse and doesn't do anything to improve the situation.<br><br>Another bad way to respond to negative feedback is getting angry. Just like with getting defensive, getting angry doesn't do anything to improve the situation and will usually just make things worse. It's important to try and stay calm when you're hearing negative feedback so that you can really listen to what the other person is saying.<br><br>So what should you do when you receive negative feedback? First, take a step back and try to understand where the other person is coming from. What might they be trying or concerned about? Second, think about whether the feedback is something that you can use to improve your work or yourself. If so, great! If not, don't worry about it<br><br></p>
<h2><b>The 4 worst ways to respond to negative feedback<br><br></b></h2>
<p>1. Get defensive<br>When someone gives you negative feedback, it can be tempting to immediately jump to your own defense. But getting defensive will only make the situation worse. Not only will you come across as arrogant and unprofessional, but you'll also miss out on an opportunity to learn and improve.<br><br>2. Attack the messenger<br>If you can't take the criticism itself, you might be tempted to attack the person who is giving it to you. This is never a good idea. Not only will it make you look bad, but it will also damage your relationships and discourage others from giving you honest feedback in the future.<br><br>3. Make excuses<br>Making excuses is another way of getting defensive. It's a way of saying "I'm not responsible" or "It's not my fault." But making excuses shows that you're not willing to take responsibility for your actions or learn from your mistakes.<br><br>4. Ignore it<br>Ignoring negative feedback altogether is probably the worst thing you can do. It's equivalent to burying your head in the sand and hoping the problem will go away on its own. But ignoring feedback won't make it disappear—it will only make it harder to deal with later on down the road.<br><br></p>
<h2><b>How to effectively respond to negative feedback</b></h2>
<p>In any customer-facing business, it's inevitable that you will receive negative feedback from time to time. How you respond to that feedback can be the difference between a one-time unhappy customer and a lifelong loyal fan.<br><br>Here are four tips for effectively responding to negative feedback:<br><br>1. Acknowledge the issue and thank the customer for bringing it to your attention.<br><br>2. Take responsibility for the problem and offer a solution.<br><br>3. Offer a discount or other form of compensation as an apology.<br><br>4. Follow up with the customer after the issue has been resolved to ensure they're satisfied.<br><br></p>
<h2><b>Conclusion</b></h2>
<p>It is important to remember that negative feedback can be seen as a learning opportunity. Rather than ignoring it or responding in a defensive way, try to take a step back and review what the feedback is telling you. This will allow you to understand where improvements need to be made and create actionable steps for improvement. By taking this approach, you will also show your maturity and professionalism which can help build relationships with those giving you the negative feedback.</p>