Here's how you can handle feedback that challenges your perspective or approach.
Handling feedback that challenges your own perspective is a crucial skill in program management. When you're at the helm of projects, you'll often receive input that doesn't align with your current approach. It's natural to feel defensive or dismissive, but embracing this feedback can lead to more effective and innovative solutions. The key is to remain open, consider the validity of the points raised, and integrate them into your project plan if they improve the outcome. It's a delicate balance between being confident in your decisions and adaptable to new information. By mastering this, you'll not only enhance your program management skills but also foster a culture of continuous improvement within your team.
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Navdeep MalikLinkedIn Top 1% PM Voice | Program Management Leader | AI and Digital Transformation I Judge I Mentor I Speaker I IEEE…
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Hariom Singh ᴘʜ.ᴅ. ᴘᴍᴘ® ʀᴍᴘ® ᴍʙᴀTransformative PMO Leader | Simplifier | Problem Solver | Product Partner | Innovation Driver | Operational &…
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Kitti KerekesTPM Lead | Tech & Product Program Management | Helping agile leaders innovate in Technical Program Management | Advisor…
When receiving feedback, it's essential to listen actively. This means fully concentrating on the speaker, understanding their message, and responding thoughtfully. Avoid interrupting or planning your rebuttal while they're still speaking. Instead, show that you value their input by nodding, maintaining eye contact, and asking clarifying questions. Active listening demonstrates respect for the other person's perspective and ensures you fully comprehend their feedback before responding.
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When you receive feedback that challenges your current perspective or methodology, it's crucial to approach it with an open mind. Listen attentively and objectively to understand the different viewpoints being presented, and resist the urge to respond defensively. Use questions to dive deeper into specific concerns and to extract constructive elements from the feedback, enriching your understanding and approach. Consider the feedback carefully and assess whether it necessitates a modification of your methods. If changes are needed, outline a strategy for their implementation. Keep your team informed about how this feedback has prompted a reassessment of your approach and the actions you plan to take, building a culture of mutual respect.
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Feedback Embraced Wisely 💡 I'd handle feedback challenges by maintaining a growth mindset, actively listening to constructive criticism, and asking clarifying questions to ensure understanding. I'd separate personal biases from objective feedback, focusing on specific actions and behaviors that need improvement. I'd build trust and credibility with the team and stakeholders by acknowledging and appreciating feedback. Additionally, I'd use feedback to learn, grow, and develop new skills, leading to personal and professional development. By embracing feedback wisely, I'd foster a culture of continuous improvement and excellence.
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Feedback is a gift, so listen openly. Active listening means that you: 1: view feedback not as criticism but as an opportunity for growth 2: engage with the feedback and ask clarifying questions 3: take a moment to digest the information and reflect on it 4: integrate the feedback into your work & life Use feedback as a tool for improvement and personal + professional growth 🌱✨
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Active listening can significantly help in handling feedback that challenges your perspective or approach by ensuring you fully understand the concerns and viewpoints of others. By paying close attention, asking clarifying questions, and reflecting on what is said, you demonstrate respect for the feedback provider and create an open dialogue. This not only helps in accurately assessing the validity of the feedback but also in identifying areas for improvement. Active listening fosters a collaborative environment, encouraging constructive criticism and enabling you to adapt your approach in a way that aligns with broader perspectives and enhances overall outcomes.
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When receiving feedback that challenges your views, approach it with an open and receptive mindset. Actively listen to understand the other person's perspective, rather than becoming defensive. Ask clarifying questions to gain deeper insights. Objectively evaluate the feedback - consider how it could improve your approach or uncover blind spots. Avoid dismissing valid concerns out of hand. Instead, have a constructive dialogue to find common ground and mutually beneficial solutions. Remember, feedback is an opportunity for growth, not a personal attack. Embracing different viewpoints can lead to better decisions and stronger working relationships !
After actively listening, take a moment to reflect honestly on the feedback. Consider whether there's truth to the points raised and how they could potentially benefit your project. Sometimes, your initial reaction might be to reject feedback that doesn't match your views, but honest reflection can help you see past your biases. Remember, the goal is to improve the project, not to defend your ego.
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It's common to initially resist feedback that contradicts your views; however, sincere reflection allows you to transcend personal biases and embrace constructive criticism. The primary objective is to advance the project’s quality and success, rather than upholding your ego. By prioritizing the project’s improvement over personal pride, you open the door to valuable insights and growth opportunities that may have otherwise been overlooked. Assess its validity and how it relates to your perspective or approach. Be honest with yourself about areas where you may need to improve. This perspective ensures that feedback serves as a tool for development and innovation, guiding the project toward its best possible outcome.
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After receiving feedback, take time to reflect on it honestly. Consider the validity of the points raised and how they align with the project's goals. In a previous role, I was advised to reconsider my approach to managing remote teams. Reflecting honestly on this feedback, I recognized areas where my methods could be improved, leading to more effective team management. Self-reflection helps in acknowledging areas for improvement and growth.
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It's natural for our initial reaction to be defensive, particularly when feedback challenges our ego or questions our decisions. However, by practicing mindful reflection, we can transcend our biases and approach feedback with a growth mindset. Remember, the ultimate goal is not to protect our pride but to enhance the project and achieve greater outcomes. Embracing feedback with emotional intelligence involves acknowledging our emotions, understanding their source, and responding in a constructive manner. By separating our personal feelings from the feedback received, we can focus on the valuable insights it offers and use them to drive positive change within our project.
Once you've reflected on the feedback, assess it objectively. This means setting aside personal feelings and evaluating the feedback based on its merits and relevance to the project's goals. Consider how the suggested changes might enhance efficiency, effectiveness, or outcomes. By being objective, you ensure that the decision to accept or reject the feedback is based on what's best for the project, not on personal preferences.
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Handling challenging feedback requires objectivity. 🧐 Assess it impartially, setting aside personal feelings. Evaluate its merits and relevance to project goals. Consider how suggested changes could enhance efficiency or outcomes. By prioritizing what's best for the project over personal preferences, you ensure decisions are based on sound reasoning. Remember, embracing constructive criticism fosters growth and improvement. 🌱🔄
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Objectively assess the feedback by separating emotions from facts. Look at the feedback in the context of project outcomes and team dynamics. During a major network expansion project, I received feedback that my timelines were too aggressive. By objectively analyzing the data, including team workload and project milestones, I could adjust the timelines realistically, which improved overall project efficiency and team morale.
Clear communication is vital when addressing feedback. If you decide to implement changes based on the feedback, explain your reasoning to your team and stakeholders. If you choose not to adopt the suggestions, provide a clear rationale for your decision. This transparency helps maintain trust and shows that you've given the feedback due consideration, even if you don't act on it.
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When addressing feedback, clear communication is paramount. 🗣️ If you decide to implement changes, explain your reasoning to your team and stakeholders. If not, provide a clear rationale for your decision. This transparency maintains trust and demonstrates that you've considered the feedback, even if you don't act on it. Remember, effective communication fosters understanding and collaboration, key ingredients for project success. 🌟🤝
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Clear communication is crucial when responding to challenging feedback. Acknowledge the feedback, explain your perspective, and discuss potential changes. In one instance, when my approach to a customer service upgrade was questioned, I scheduled a meeting to discuss the feedback openly. This transparent communication helped align everyone's expectations and fostered a collaborative environment to address the issues raised.
Feedback is an opportunity for collaboration. Engage with the individual who provided the feedback and explore ways to integrate their suggestions into your approach. Open collaboration can lead to innovative solutions that neither party might have reached independently. This cooperative mindset not only improves the project but also strengthens team dynamics.
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View feedback as an opportunity for collaboration. 🤝 Engage with the individual who provided the feedback and explore ways to integrate their suggestions into your approach. Open collaboration can lead to innovative solutions that benefit the project. This cooperative mindset not only improves outcomes but also strengthens team dynamics. Remember, diverse perspectives enrich decision-making and drive progress. Embrace feedback as a catalyst for growth and innovation. 💡🌟
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Engage in open collaboration with your team or stakeholders to find mutually agreeable solutions. When I faced resistance to a new project management tool, I collaborated with my team to understand their concerns and find a compromise. We conducted trials of several tools and chose the one that best met everyone's needs. Open collaboration not only resolves conflicts but also enhances team cohesion.
Finally, be prepared to adapt flexibly. If feedback leads you to a better approach, don't hesitate to adjust your plans. Flexibility is a hallmark of effective program management, as it allows for continuous improvement. Adapting to valid feedback can enhance your leadership reputation and result in a more successful project outcome.
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-> As a program manager, view feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than criticism. Be willing to listen & consider different viewpoints without becoming defensive. -> Remember: 'Pause Before Responding'. Take a moment to process the feedback before reacting. Resist the urge to immediately defend your position. Instead, consider the feedback thoughtfully. -> Ask for specific examples to understand the context better. Inquire about how your approach or perspective has impacted others or the project. -> Reflect on your current approach and identify areas where the feedback might be applicable. Parallelly, Think about alternative methods or strategies you could employ.
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Be willing to adapt your approach based on the feedback received. Flexibility is key to continuous improvement and success. During a telecom infrastructure upgrade, feedback indicated that my risk management strategy needed to be more robust. By adapting and integrating more comprehensive risk assessments, we mitigated potential issues more effectively, ensuring smoother project execution.
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This is genuinely a great subject for the profession of program/project management. We often want to be right. However, embracing diversity of thought is a fantastic way to show one's mettle. This is a competency that is pivotal to an individual's leadership. Mettle is your ability to handle difficult situations with grit. It takes courage to be open to the idea that your idea may not be the best. In social science research or actually any research, one of your key objectives is to control research error. Confirmation bias is a big one. This is when we only listen or hear thoughts that confirm our own. Our idea becomes infallible, which it is not. Be open to alternate ideas and ways of thinking and practice cognitive humbleness.
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Handling feedback that challenges your perspective or approach involves maintaining an open mind and viewing it as an opportunity for growth. Listen actively, seek to understand the other person's viewpoint, and refrain from becoming defensive. Reflect on the feedback objectively, consider its validity, and be willing to adapt or make changes if necessary. Respond gracefully and professionally, thanking the individual for their input and demonstrating your commitment to continuous improvement.
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Everyone knows feedback is important but very few people welcome feedback & even fewer people provide genuine feedback. Feedback, often not in favor, turns into debate or experience of distancing individuals. In order to avoid this, one can try these tips- 1. listen carefully & pay attention to content rather than choice of words or way it is conveyed 2. ask questions to clarify & ensure you understood feedback 3. probe for instances & examples than mere statements about feedback 4. ask what would have been ideal performance or behavioral response for said instance 5. if unacceptable or incorrect feedback, explain with reasons for why so 6. end feedback session on positive note 7. seek validation on feedback from unbiased trustworthy person
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Remember that feedback is not a personal attack. Feedback is the door for collaboration, streamlining, positive morale, and creativity. If certain feedback seems to push your buttons, it might be time to take a step back to self-reflect and understand why it might have felt so comfortable. This self-reflection will make you a better leader in the long run too. When I asked for feedback during my process this past year, it allowed me to adjust in real-time before bigger problems cascaded but were also a platform for next year's improvements. Another reminder, questions are a project manager's best friend. Open minds stem from curiosity instead of judgment.
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By maintaining an open mind, actively listening, and reflecting on the critique. For example, if a colleague suggests a different strategy for a marketing campaign you designed, listen to their reasoning without interruption and consider the potential benefits of their approach. Ask clarifying questions to fully understand their viewpoint and evaluate how their suggestions could enhance the project. By embracing constructive feedback and being willing to adjust your methods, you can foster a collaborative environment and improve the overall quality of your work.
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