Last updated on Jul 12, 2024

Here's how you can navigate challenges when receiving feedback from senior stakeholders.

Receiving feedback from senior stakeholders can be as daunting as it is invaluable. It's a chance to gain insights from experienced leaders who have a broad perspective on the organization and its goals. However, navigating the challenges that come with this feedback requires a deft touch and a strategic approach. By understanding their expectations, communicating effectively, and demonstrating adaptability, you can turn senior stakeholder feedback into a powerful tool for personal and professional growth.

1 Listen First

When senior stakeholders offer feedback, your first step is to listen actively. This means giving them your full attention, acknowledging their points, and resisting the urge to immediately defend your work. By doing so, you demonstrate respect for their experience and open the door to a more constructive dialogue. Remember, feedback is not just about critique; it's an opportunity to understand their vision and align your efforts with the broader organizational goals.

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Divya Eapen

Credit Risk and Restructuring Specialist | Board Advisor | Chief Risk Officer | SME Finance
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Be humble, there is a reason why the person is a senior stakeholder. Their views are useful and they probably have a wider view for you to grow. The fact that they are taking the time to give you feedback is a massive plus for you, so take this as an opportunity to learn and grow. Obviously, if they are doing this in a way that is rude, or personal, feel free to disengage! But if they are giving commentary and feedback about your work product, take it on board, and learn from it.

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Przemyslaw Kacprzak

👉 Oversee Portfolios |🚀Lead and Manage Projects & Programmes | 📍Manager with PMP & SAFe | 👍 PMO build up and drive | Agile Transformation | Lean Black Belt |🤝 Servant Leader and Mentor
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When I work with Executives first thing that I rely on is building strong relations and partnership. In that way we create a trusted environment that allows open and engaging communication. Then we can emphatically listen each other and understand needs, feedback and the story shown visually. Checkpoints, cadence, governance always help to reach desirable outcomes.

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2 Clarify Doubts

Once you've listened to the feedback, seek clarification on any points that are unclear. This shows that you're engaged and committed to understanding their perspective fully. Ask open-ended questions to delve deeper into their thoughts and ensure you're on the same page. This step is crucial; misunderstandings can lead to misaligned efforts and missed opportunities for improvement.

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Akita Somani

Partnerships | Scaling businesses | Inclusive Growth | Inspiring FinTech Female 2023 | ex-Mastercard, Visa, Citi
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After you've asked clarifying questions to better understand their perspective, it's sometimes helpful to replay what you heard, to ensure you interpreted it correctly.

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Divya Eapen

Credit Risk and Restructuring Specialist | Board Advisor | Chief Risk Officer | SME Finance
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Do make sure to get everything you can from the feedback. If you're uncertain, ask more questions for clarity. Talk through examples. Try to not be defensive, and think about it as an opportunity for growth rather than a critique on you. You can even use this feedback as a chance to set up more regular meetings - ask if they are willing to support you on the journey. What worked really well for me is rather than providing my senior stakeholder a finished product, we agreed more regular catch ups to go through works-in-progress. This way we got to the end result that everyone wanted AND I got to build a great working relationship with the board member.

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3 Reflect Carefully

After the meeting, take time to reflect on the feedback received. Consider how it aligns with your work objectives and the larger business strategy. Reflecting helps you to distill the feedback into actionable items and also to separate constructive criticism from personal preferences. By reflecting, you ensure that you're not reacting emotionally but are instead making informed decisions on how to proceed.

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4 Plan Your Response

Develop a plan for how you will address the feedback. This plan should include specific actions you'll take and timelines for implementation. Communicating this plan back to the stakeholders shows that you've taken their feedback seriously and are proactive about making improvements. It also sets a clear path forward and establishes a basis for follow-up discussions.

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5 Engage Continuously

Keep the lines of communication open with your stakeholders. Regular updates on your progress show that you're actively working on the feedback and value their input. It also helps to build a stronger relationship with them, as they see their guidance being put into practice. Continuous engagement can turn a one-time feedback session into an ongoing conversation that fosters growth and development.

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Divya Eapen

Credit Risk and Restructuring Specialist | Board Advisor | Chief Risk Officer | SME Finance
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As I said above, this is a great opportunity to build a relationship with the stakeholder. Try to not be defensive, and think about it as an opportunity for growth rather than a critique on you. Use this feedback as a chance to set up more regular meetings - ask if they are willing to support you on the journey. What worked really well for me is rather than providing my senior stakeholder a finished product, we agreed more regular catch ups to go through works-in-progress. This is a great way to build a long term productive working relationship, and you get a mentor and potentially an advocate!

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6 Adapt Strategically

Finally, be prepared to adapt your approach based on the feedback. This might mean changing your strategy, revising a project, or developing new skills. Adapting strategically shows that you're flexible and willing to evolve, which are valuable traits in any professional setting. It also demonstrates that you're not just hearing the feedback but are truly listening and applying it to your work.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Here's how you can navigate challenges when receiving feedback from senior stakeholders.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen First

2 Clarify Doubts

3 Reflect Carefully

4 Plan Your Response

5 Engage Continuously

6 Adapt Strategically

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

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Here's how you can navigate challenges when receiving feedback from senior stakeholders.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen First

2 Clarify Doubts

3 Reflect Carefully

4 Plan Your Response

5 Engage Continuously

6 Adapt Strategically

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

Rate this article

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