It’s natural to feel defensive when receiving feedback, especially if it’s critical or highlights areas for improvement. Our first instinct might be to dismiss it or justify our actions. However, this mindset can block us from learning and growing. To make the most of feedback, it’s important to remain open and willing to listen. Rather than immediately reacting or trying to defend your position, take a moment to reflect on what’s being said.
If your team lead points out that you’re missing deadlines for example, instead of jumping to explain the reasons why, consider their feedback as a prompt to reflect on your time management. They may be offering an outside perspective you haven’t considered. Being open can turn what initially feels like criticism into an opportunity to implement changes you had not considered before, or might just simply help you start prioritizing differently. Being open to feedback doesn’t mean you have to accept every point as gospel truth; it simply means considering it thoughtfully before responding.