After putting a lot of work and preparation into your webinar, it can be very difficult to receive any kind of negative feedback about it. This can have a negative impact on your self-confidence, belief in your product, and your abilities as a presenter.
However, is all negative feedback a bad thing? Is there anything that you can learn from negative feedback given about your webinar?
Table of Contents
The Positives of Negative Feedback
Of course, the first reaction if you receive negative feedback can be one of annoyance, anger, and frustration. You could also go on the defense and just think that it is a problem solely with the other person or persons. While it is true, that it could be an issue only with the person in question, it is worthwhile looking at the positives that you can take from negative feedback. How is this so?
For example, think about the many talent shows that are on our TV screens. Usually, the participants who perform the worst are the one who have never received any criticism for their performances. They usually are surrounded by family and friends who only ever praise the perceived talents. Has this continual praise made them a better performer? Just the opposite!
Any kind of criticism and negative feedback that you receive about your webinar should always be viewed in a balanced way. View it as an opportunity to grow.
How You Learn from Negative Feedback
Here are some top tips that you can use to help you learn from negative feedback.
Don’t React Immediately
The first course of action to help you learn from negative feedback is not to react at first. If you react defensively, it can blind you to any positives that you can learn from the feedback. It also sends a signal to the other person that you are not sure of yourself.
If you receive some negative feedback after your webinar, even if it is harsh feedback, always take some time to consider it before you reply.
Therefore, if you receive the feedback verbally during or just after the webinar, it is best to take a pause and process the information. Even if you only say, “I appreciate your point and will be happy to discuss this with you after the webinar” could be enough.
If you receive the negative feedback by email, then leave it for a few days and then think about how to respond. At the same time, you should see if the negative feedback has any substance.
Recognize the Feedback and React Positively
All of us have the potential to develop and grow. This means that no matter how much experience you have in presenting webinars, you can still find room for growth. Of course, negative feedback isn’t nice to receive, but you should recognize at least as a different angle to consider.
What can be positive about negative feedback? First of all, you, of course, have to consider if the feedback has any merit. Just because you didn’t like it, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have any merit.
So, ask yourself these questions:
- Does the person have a valid point?
- Is this something that I could use to improve?
- Does the criticism show a weak point in my message?
- Is the person just trying to be critical without being constructive?
By answering these questions, you can evaluate the positive aspects of what he had to say. So, how can you proceed if you realize that he has a valid point?
This is now your chance to learn from negative feedback and grow. Usually, it’s the times when we receive negative feedback that gives us the chance to grow.
For example, think about what a plant needs to grow. A plant needs nurturing, care, and attention. That can be likened to positive feedback. However, every so often it is necessary to trim and prune the plant. This is what encourages further growth.
When negative feedback exposes some failings about your webinar presentation, you get the chance to develop and grow. However, it requires that you take a positive lesson from negative feedback.
How to Learn from Negative Feedback
When you take a proactive approach to negative feedback, and not view it as a personal attack on your abilities, you can start to learn from negative feedback.
What can you learn from negative feedback? If you receive some, then ask yourself these questions:
- What lessons was I able to learn about my webinar presentation and myself?
- Have lessons have I learned about others?
- What can I do to improve my next webinar?
Always try to view each piece of negative feedback as something to learn from. In fact, you can also learn something about yourself ñ how you respond to negative comments.
There’s an old adage: “every cloud has a silver lining.” When it comes to negative feedback, the same is true ñ each piece of negative feedback gives you something to learn from and grow from. If you can learn from negative feedback, then you can do much to make your webinar presentations even better.
Loading...
