Sometimes feedback can feel threatening or irritating.
Or come across as an insult.
You're working hard on your own business, and then someone comes along with a comment that feels like a gut punch. It’s not the best feeling.
But here's a simple reframe: feedback isn't against you — it's for you.
It's an opportunity to see things from a different perspective.
If you were trying to get in shape, you might hire a personal trainer who critiques how you eat and train. But that person is doing so with your best interest in mind.
Business feedback is similar. Some of it might feel rough, but it can show you a better way.
To be clear though, not all feedback is useful. Some of it you should consider and act on, while other feedback can be tossed out.
How do you tell the difference?
Ask yourself three questions:
- Is it Relevant? Does this feedback make sense in the context of my business mission? Does it align with the outcome I’m trying to achieve?
- Can I Act On It? Is this something I can actually change?
- Who Said It? Is this person someone whose opinion I trust?
These three simple questions will help you understand whether or not the feedback is useful.
If it isn’t, you could consider ignoring it.
But for useful feedback, make a plan.
Instead of seeing it as a list of things you've done wrong, see it as your map. Put the most important things at the top of your list and start iterating and working toward changes.
As you do, the feedback will reveal itself to have been right or wrong. That’s the fun thing about business. We can prove most things true or false through iteration and analysis.
So, remember: feedback is like your business GPS.
Separate from feeling threatened. Analyze it objectively. Then act on it.
P.S. If it ends up being great feedback, make sure to reach out to the person and thank them. They've just done you a solid.
