Many of us struggle with staying calm when we get difficult feedback at work.
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It feels like getting swept under a wave of emotions.. the tears start to well up, we raise our voice or end up shutting down all together.
But none of this is helpful because it stops our manager from giving us the hard feedback that we need to grow in our career.
Here are 3 things you can do to stay calm during a hard conversation so you can maintain your confidence and show strong executive presence even when things are difficult:
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1. Lean in and listen: The difficult feedback is not a personal attack, but instead an opportunity for growth. When you lean in and listen, you take back control of the conversation even when the conversation is difficult.
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2. Ask for specific examples: Ask questions like “Can you give me an example?” or “can you share when you saw this behavior” to get specific and helpful feedback. Then use these examples to map out a game plan for progress.
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3. Take a break and come back: Take a deep breath if your emotions start getting ahead of you. If you need to, take a break from the conversation to gather yourself and come back to it when you feel in control again.
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Ready to build your executive presence in the workplace?
Receiving difficult feedback can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an opportunity for growth.
I help ambitious professionals build their executive presence by learning to navigate tough conversations with grace and confidence. Apply for THE FEARLESS HIRE, and we will create a strategy to help you thrive in challenging conversations and position yourself as a confident leader in the workplace.
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