Brad Egeland gave his advice on how to react to feedback in two posts on the Project Management Tips site. A good project manager applies the suggestions in all situations.
From Reacting to Negative Feedback on Our Projects:
- Be truthful — A good reputation is essential for a project manager. Getting caught in a lie will give you a reputation for dishonesty along with a questioning of the integrity of your work.
- Deliver on your promises — Set expectations that you can deliver on. Creating unrealistic expectation means having to discuss unmet expectations later.
- Ask for clarification and confirm your understanding — Make sure you understand the other’s objectives. Efficiently achieving the objectives requires clarifying the objectives.
- Admit it — Admit mistakes. Admit shortcomings. Admit ignorance. Apologize and learn from the experience.
- Remain calm — Control your emotions and act rationally. Be a professional.
- Always accept the blame — As the project manager you are at least partly responsible for everything on the project. Accept the blame and work on resolving the problem.
- Correct misperceptions with tact — Telling someone they’re wrong will embarrass, and/or anger, and/or strengthen their resolve, and/or…
- Follow-up quickly — Identify the next actions, set due dates, monitor and regularly report on progress.
From Reacting to Positive Feedback on Our Projects:
- Listen carefully — Listen what they are saying and pick-up on what they are leaving unsaid.
- Share the praise — Team members will give unequal efforts. It’s still the whole team that delivered the project.
- Acknowledge accomplishments — To share the praise for a job done well, you have to recognize the achievement.
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