The Art of Receiving Feedback | Priti Shah | TEDxWCC

Summary

The speaker shares personal experiences about receiving feedback in challenging situations, including job interviews at General Motors and an internship at Disney. They emphasize the importance of mastering the skill of receiving feedback, viewing it as a gift for growth. The talk outlines four steps for effectively receiving and applying feedback: acknowledging the feedback, staying open to it, confirming its meaning, and taking action. The speaker encourages a mindset shift to see feedback as an opportunity for improvement and to foster a culture of open, constructive communication in all aspects of life.

Takeaways

• 💼 Confidence can leave a lasting impression, even without direct experience in a field, as seen in the speaker's interview at General Motors.
• 🎯 Mastering the ability to receive feedback is crucial to turning challenges into opportunities for personal and professional growth.
• 🤔 Feedback may not always be constructive or diplomatic, but it’s important to empower oneself to be open to others' perceptions.
• 🛠 The first step to improving from feedback is mastering the skill of receiving it openly, without immediate defensiveness.
• 🌱 The speaker's cultural and linguistic challenges shaped their growth, learning to thrive through curiosity and openness, despite early setbacks at Walt Disney.
• 🎁 Feedback is a gift—acknowledging, opening, and assessing it allows for personal development, even if the initial message feels uncomfortable.
• 🔄 The four steps to receiving feedback: 1) Acknowledge the gift, 2) Open and assess it, 3) Confirm its value, 4) Use it for improvement.
• 💬 Open dialogue and curiosity can help in understanding the true intention behind feedback, rather than rushing to defense or explanations.
• 🧠 Feedback can be either solicited or unsolicited; embracing both types helps build resilience and continuous improvement.
• 🤝 Creating a culture of open, constructive feedback enhances collaboration, trust, and positive growth in all aspects of life.

Q & A

What was the speaker’s initial reaction to feedback during their interview at General Motors?

The speaker reacted confidently to the hiring manager's question about their lack of engineering experience. Despite not having a relevant background, they declared confidently that they could do the job, which impressed the hiring team.

How did the speaker’s cultural background and upbringing affect their experience with feedback at Walt Disney?

The speaker grew up in a low-income household with illiterate parents, which challenged their communication and professional skills. Despite negative feedback at Walt Disney, they embraced a mindset of curiosity and growth, turning criticism into an opportunity to improve.

What are the four steps the speaker suggests for receiving feedback?

1. Acknowledge the gift and thank the giver. 2. Open and assess the gift by investigating the feedback. 3. Confirm the nature and value of the feedback. 4. Use the gift by taking action on the feedback.

What does the speaker mean by ‘acknowledge the gift’ in relation to feedback?

‘Acknowledge the gift’ means recognizing that the person giving feedback has something valuable to share. It involves thanking the person and approaching the feedback with a positive and open mindset.

Why does the speaker encourage staying open and asking questions when receiving feedback?

The speaker encourages openness and curiosity to fully understand the feedback. Asking questions helps to uncover the true value of the feedback and avoids defensive responses, which can block learning opportunities.

What does the speaker recommend doing if you don't agree with the feedback received?

If you don’t agree with the feedback, the speaker suggests saying thank you and setting it aside for later. You may not see its value immediately, but it could be useful in the future.

How does the speaker suggest that feedback can be non-verbal?

The speaker notes that feedback can be both tangible and intangible, such as non-verbal communication. For instance, a toddler learning to walk receives feedback from their environment (falling or running into things) that helps them adjust their behavior.

What personal growth did the speaker experience after receiving harsh feedback at Walt Disney?

Despite being told that they were not smart, sharp, or punctual, the speaker chose to learn from the feedback and delivered high-quality projects on time. This allowed them to leave the internship on favorable terms.

Why does the speaker emphasize thanking the feedback giver even when the feedback is negative?

Thanking the feedback giver, even when the feedback is negative, helps to close the feedback loop. It shows appreciation for the insight, builds trust, and fosters collaboration, even if the feedback isn’t immediately acted upon.

How can we benefit from both solicited and unsolicited feedback, according to the speaker?

The speaker advises staying open to all forms of feedback, whether solicited or unsolicited. Even unexpected feedback can offer valuable insights that contribute to personal growth and improvement.