In the past two weeks I’ve spent four days conducting Frontline Leadership sessions. The material is great. It’s been validated by hundreds of people and the feedback is 95% positive. The other 5% varies from luke warm to “these suggestions apply to everyone else, not me.”
Of course, just like you, I’m sensitive to the 5% and study to see what I might have done differently to get buy-in. In some cases the disconnect is obvious while in others it’s just a disconnect.
Feedback from a disconnect and a connect in my sessions must be taken for what they are … someone’s comment at that moment. I’ve watched other speakers and trainers get totally bend out of shape by one or two negative comments. Pay attention, yes, but don’t put too much credence on the comments.
If you’ve done your homework and prepared properly for the given client, you’ll recognize that the 95% is what you should pay the most attention to and adjust accordingly.
The next time you receive feedback, listen and listen for the surface truth and the hidden truth. Respond to both in the appropriate fashion, as if the comments were directed at someone else and emotions weren’t involved. Then you’ll probably truly hear what was said to you.