HOW TO TAKE FEEDBACK LIKE A PRO?

Well, we all receive feedback from time to time, but are we able to process it and make the most out of it? Not always. In fact, processing feedback goes far beyond listening to it in the moment and implementing it. So let me give you a little bit of steps on how you can actually take feedback like a pro.

Control your emotions. Most of the time when we receive feedback of any kind, our emotions get wild. You know, they just get loose. For example, if we receive positive feedback, we feel so happy and so escalated that we promise to overdeliver or say things that make no sense. If we receive negative feedback, we tend to get upset and down mood at that moment. So always take a few deep breaths. If you feel yourself getting upset, stressed, or angry, take a few deep breaths—slow breaths to help process your emotions. Taking a moment to pause will prevent you from saying something defensive or something that you may regret later.
Always ask questions. When your boss says that you need improvement in your communication, don't simply accept it and then go out there wondering what you have to do. You need not sit there silently and accept everything that has been pointed out at your face. So if your boss tells you that he'd like to see you take more initiative in group projects, ask clarifying questions about what ways he thinks you could do that. If he or she is telling you that you need improvement in communication, ask what areas of communication need improvement. What instances can they give you to help you better understand where your communication is lacking?
Summarize the feedback. This is so that you can avoid any mixed messages. Make sure that you summarize the feedback that was offered. You know, something very simple like, "To clarify, you believe that my email communication would be stronger if I created graphs to highlight the results." That way, you know exactly what the correct understanding is and what areas you really need to improve before you actually roll up your sleeves and make the changes.
Be grateful. I know this is counterintuitive, but thank the person for their feedback because it's a simple way to end the conversation. Plus, gratitude to the person taking the time to point things out to you is important. You can always mention the specific aspects of the feedback that you're acknowledging, such as, "Thank you for your thoughtful feedback regarding my email communication and the ways I could improve it."
Always follow up. As the old cliché goes, actions speak louder than words. Feedback isn't always a one-and-done sort of thing. If you are truly aiming to use those suggestions, it's not a bad idea to touch base upon your progress in the future and add to it. It gives you a great communication start when you are having the next conversation with your boss.