Get over the fear of negative feedback
When it comes to preparing oneself for the mid-year or annual or quarterly feedback, receptivity generally varies. Some get cold feet, sweaty palms and creases on their forehead, thanks to stress and fear, while others look forward to it. If you fall in the former category then it’s apparent that your fear stems from the fear of being criticised and corrected. But then it is important to understand that regardless of whether it is a positive or negative feedback, it helps you grow. You’ll learn from your mistakes and be guided to perform better. Worrying hasn’t done anyone any good. You need to learn to get over your fears and only you can help yourself. Here’s how.
Think of it as an opportunity: Stop thinking of review sessions as a personal attack on your potential. It will only hurt you if you’re unwilling to hear it or are reluctant to grow. Instead, look at it as an opportunity to get your act together. If you’ve made a mistake learn from it instead of brooding over it and assuming the world’s plotting a plan against you from succeeding.
Trust the person giving you feedback: Whether it is the first time or the tenth time you’re being reviewed, you have to trust the reviewer and the feedback being given to you. Should you have any concerns, raise them. Reframe their statements to make sure you’ve got exactly what they mean.
Eliminate negative thoughts: Why waste time dwelling on thoughts of being shamed during the meeting. Why imagine? Why presume? Why fear? You know the amount of hard work you’ve put in and that if you’ve done it right, you’ll be praised for it and if not then you probably do deserve an appropriate response.
Acknowledge and admit where you went wrong: When discussing work-related scenarios where you’ve erred, own up to where you went wrong and seek advice on what you can do to avoid a similar situation in the future.
Make following-up a habit: Once you’ve received a feedback, work on ways to improve your action points and ask for your manager’s opinion on how you’re faring.