Some Feedback Doesn't Matter

Do you ever get feedback that irritates you?

I've had feedback that just bothers me so much that I can't even do anything with it. But then I stop to assess the source of the feedback. Just because someone gives you feedback doesn't mean that it is correct and it most likely doesn't mean that it's complete. There's more to the story.

One of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite college professors from graduate school, Dr. Jay Desko, is this: "feedback says more about the person delivering the feedback than it does about the person receiving the feedback."

I quote Jay on that often because it's so important to keep that in mind. Yes, feedback is important. Yes, I know that I need MORE, not less feedback. And, yes, we should do something with that feedback positive and useful. But sometimes we can safely let the feedback go. Let it drop. Release it.

It's safe to disregard feedback from someone who is so unhappy with themselves that they have nothing positive to say.

Sometimes when people are attacking us, it's really themselves they don't like. We are often most critical of others about what we are hiding within ourselves.

Sobering. Serious. And if we keep centered in our focus, sometimes useful.

What feedback can you safely let go of today?

-- Doug Smith

Front Range Leadership: High Performance Leadership Training

doug smith training: helping people communicate more effectively

What have you learned today?

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