Last updated on Feb 27, 2025

How do you handle feedback and criticism from your stakeholders and peers after a strategic negotiation?

Feedback and criticism are inevitable parts of any strategic negotiation. Whether you are negotiating with a client, a partner, a supplier, or a colleague, you will likely face some challenges, disagreements, and objections along the way. How you handle them can make a big difference in the outcome of the negotiation and the quality of the relationship. In this article, you will learn some tips and techniques to deal with feedback and criticism from your stakeholders and peers after a strategic negotiation.

1 Acknowledge and appreciate

The first step to handle feedback and criticism is to acknowledge and appreciate the person who is giving it to you. This shows that you respect their opinion and that you are open to learning from them. Thank them for their time, their honesty, and their insights. Avoid being defensive, dismissive, or argumentative. Instead, listen actively and try to understand their perspective and their concerns. This will help you build rapport and trust with them and reduce the potential for conflict.

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Shalu Lal

Independent Board Director and VP-Head of Governance & Compliance-Digital at Bharti Airtel
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By approaching feedback and criticism in a constructive and professional manner, you can maintain positive relationships and continue to grow professionally from the insights gained: 1. Listen actively to understand their perspectives. 2. Stay calm and professional to maintain respect. 3. Seek clarification on specific feedback points. 4. Acknowledge valid points to show openness. 5. Reflect and learn from the feedback received. 6. Don't take it personally; focus on the feedback's substance. 7. Address concerns proactively with actionable steps. 8. Communicate your perspective to provide context. 9. Focus on solutions rather than dwelling on criticism. 10. Follow up to show commitment to improvement.

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2 Clarify and confirm

The second step to handle feedback and criticism is to clarify and confirm what you heard and what you understood. This helps you avoid misunderstandings and misinterpretations that can lead to further problems. Ask open-ended questions to elicit more information and examples. Repeat back what they said in your own words and check if you got it right. If there are any gaps or inconsistencies, ask for clarification. If there are any agreements or actions, confirm them with the person. This will help you align your expectations and goals with them and ensure that you are on the same page.

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3 Evaluate and respond

The third step to handle feedback and criticism is to evaluate and respond to it. This means that you analyze the feedback and criticism objectively and decide what to do with it. You can use a simple framework like the 3Cs: Consider, Choose, and Communicate. Consider the feedback and criticism from different angles: Is it factual, accurate, relevant, constructive, or helpful? How does it fit with your objectives, interests, and values? What are the benefits and costs of accepting or rejecting it? Choose the best course of action based on your analysis: Do you agree or disagree with the feedback and criticism? Do you need to change or improve something? Do you need to explain or justify something? Communicate your decision and your reasons to the person who gave you the feedback and criticism. Be respectful, confident, and assertive. Explain how you will implement or follow up on the feedback and criticism. If you disagree, provide evidence or alternative solutions. If you need more time or support, ask for it. This will help you demonstrate your professionalism and your commitment to the negotiation.

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Ikoabasi Akpan

Business Transformation Strategist | Revenue Growth Specialist | Delivering Measurable Impact Through Turnaround Management and Operational Excellence | FMCG, Aviation, and Strategy Consulting Expertise
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One thing I have found useful in handling scenarios such as this is in finding a common area of interest and starting the discussion from there. This helps to catch the attention of the other party and get them to listen thereafter, the areas of difference can then be discussed with the possibility of getting mutually beneficial outcomes to both parties.

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Harshal Kalambe

I am Integrating Sustainability Into Reality | Sustainable Supply Chain | Circular Economy
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'ESG professionals are highly likely to get much negative feedback, so how to handle feedback on a strategic negotiation through an ESG and carbon footprinting lens: 1. Consider Separate objective observations from personal opinions. 2. Choose how to respond based on your evaluation. 3. Communicate clearly and express your response to feedback.

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4 Learn and grow

The fourth step to handle feedback and criticism is to learn and grow from it. This means that you reflect on the feedback and criticism and use it as an opportunity to improve your skills, knowledge, and performance. Identify the key lessons and takeaways from the feedback and criticism. Apply them to your current or future negotiations. Seek more feedback and criticism from others who can help you grow. Celebrate your achievements and acknowledge your areas of improvement. This will help you develop your confidence and competence as a strategic negotiator.

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Andrea L. Albright

Lawyer | Advocate | Champion of DEI & Compliance
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Look, you're going to get lots of feedback throughout your career, and the best way to filter it is to measure it against your own aspirations. Ask yourself: Will letting this feedback in help me become the person I strive to be? If the answer is yes, reflect and make changes accordingly. If the answer is no, politely receive it, and think of it no more. Not everyone is going to like you; what is important is that you do.

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Vinay Gupta✔️

14+ Years in Enterprise Sales | Cybersecurity is the next big thing | MBA with Engineering Background 💫 My Ideas Work 🏆
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✅The best way would be to reach a few more people for feedback and see if things are common in between. If things are common it means we need to work on that to Grow. Sometimes people give feedback just to show their superiority. Learn from positive feedback and grow in your career. 👉Different companies have different ways to treat people. Some companies believe only in results 🏆 while some want to make 📵 noise of your work though the result is not up to the Mark. #Vinay8484

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Andrea L. Albright

Lawyer | Advocate | Champion of DEI & Compliance
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Look, you’re going to get lots of feedback throughout your career, and it would be odd indeed if it was all aligned. (If it ever is the case, you best listen!) But nearly always you'll be receiving advice from others that will at best feel random, and at worst be contradictory. When this happens, you'll need to filter it. The best way I've found to filter feedback is to measure it against your own aspirational self. Reflect on whether the feedback will help you attain your goals or not. Incorporate what will be helpful, and kindly disregard the rest. It's also important to note that good advice does not always come from the people you like.

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5 Manage your emotions

The fifth step to handle feedback and criticism is to manage your emotions. This means that you recognize and regulate your feelings and reactions to the feedback and criticism. Feedback and criticism can trigger positive or negative emotions, such as satisfaction, gratitude, pride, anger, frustration, disappointment, or guilt. These emotions can affect your judgment, behavior, and communication. To manage your emotions, use some strategies like: Breathe deeply and calm yourself down. Focus on the facts and not the tone or intention of the person. Separate the feedback and criticism from your self-worth or identity. Seek support or feedback from someone you trust or respect. Express your emotions in a constructive way. This will help you cope with the stress and pressure of the feedback and criticism and maintain your emotional balance.

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6 Follow up and follow through

The sixth step to handle feedback and criticism is to follow up and follow through on it. This means that you keep in touch with the person who gave you the feedback and criticism and update them on your progress and results. Show them that you value their feedback and criticism and that you are taking action on it. Ask for their feedback and criticism again if needed. Share your successes and challenges with them. Thank them again for their contribution and collaboration. This will help you sustain and strengthen the relationship with them and enhance your reputation as a strategic negotiator.

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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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Ricardo Chang

Strategic Business Manager│Business Development │Sales & Commercial │ B2B & B2C │ Disruptive Innovator
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La clave es escuchar con una mente abierta. Después de una negociación, me aseguro de recibir la retroalimentación de mis partes interesadas y pares sin tomarla de manera personal. Cada crítica es una oportunidad para mejorar. A partir de ahí, ajusto mi enfoque, manteniendo siempre una actitud de crecimiento. Además, valoro que las críticas sean constructivas. Me ayuda a identificar áreas de mejora y fortalezas que quizás no había considerado. Mantener una comunicación constante y transparente con mi equipo y socios me permite, también, anticipar desafíos y alinear expectativas para el futuro.

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Vipin Pandey

Manager | Empowering High-Impact Teams in US Insurance | AIC | Leadership Mindset Advocate & Content Creator
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here is my perspective: Understand Intent: Identify whether feedback targets process, outcome, or approach. Seek Clarity: Ask questions to unpack vague or broad feedback. Spot Patterns: Look for recurring themes to address systematically. Stay Professional: Respond calmly, even to tough criticism. Reflect and Balance: Combine external feedback with personal insights. Track for Growth: Document feedback to refine future strategies. Collaborate on Solutions: Engage stakeholders in identifying improvements.

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How do you handle feedback and criticism from your stakeholders and peers after a strategic negotiation?

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1 Acknowledge and appreciate

2 Clarify and confirm

3 Evaluate and respond

4 Learn and grow

5 Manage your emotions

6 Follow up and follow through

7 Here’s what else to consider

Strategic Negotiations

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