Dealing with feedback: Six Tips

Collecting feedback on your ideas is an important part of the creative process. But not all feedback is created equal. For every useful observation and insightful suggestion, some comments are just wrong and not helpful.

Dealing with poor feedback can be tricky, especially when you have to be sensitive to the business situation and the position of the reviewer. It can also be difficult to maintain confidence in your own work when faced with negative feedback. 

Here are six tips for dealing with feedback that will help you handle negative comments, while remaining true to your original vision.

1. Who is the reviewer?
If someone gives you feedback with which you find disagreeable, think about who they are? They may have expertise from a different point of view that your skillset does not cover. They may have a proven track record for making things better. Opinions from colleagues like this deserve close consideration, so listen to them closely - they may help you improve your work. For everyone else, be confident and trust your own judgment.

2. Try not to get defensive
Try not to be the first person to respond to a critique on your work. Your first response will probably be defensive. Gather feedback and then let the comments marinate before responding. 24 hours, if you can spare the time, is a good rule of thumb. Things often look different the next day. By taking a little time you will be able to better fully understand their comments and their perspective. While you ponder the feedback, others reviewers may either offer up support for your work or show that the original commenter may have a point.

3. Small issues may be a ruse for bigger problems
Sometimes small things might be brought to your attention - like if someone doesn’t like a certain word you’ve used in a written piece. Ask if the problem is the word or its meaning? Feedback should be questioned to see if it is the root of something that might be more significant.

4. Check your Ego
You may be the one who is putting the presentation together but you might not be the final presenter or therefore the final decision maker. If you don’t agree with the decision makers feedback - deal with this. Perhaps have a one on one with the decision maker as opposed to announcing your disapproval within a greater group where egos can clash. However if you are the decision maker on a controversial piece - get a second opinion from someone you trust.

5. Be prepared for criticisms
Before your work is reviewed, try to prepare yourself for possible questions before they come your way. What issues might others may have with your work? Always being prepared and ready to answer any questions that might come up is a great way to deal with potential negative feedback.  Anything "new" will always be met with some fear of the unknown, so be prepared to show examples of how other businesses succeed by taking risks.

6. Don't be afraid to go back to the Drawing Board
Nothing is stopping you from starting over on a new version of your proposal with fresh insights and improvements. A fresh start from a different angle may help the reviewer see that their objections weren't as serious as they once thought.

The review process is really a creative way of making your work better - so don't sweat it.