Shownotes
Show Notes:
Transforming Critique: Making Feedback Work for You
In this episode of the Business Ignite podcast, hosts Ethan Walker and Samantha Reed dive into the often daunting experience of receiving design feedback. They reference an insightful article from 95 Visual to provide strategies for making critiques useful rather than disheartening. Key points discussed include setting clear goals before asking for feedback, framing requests for help to make them less intimidating, detaching ego from work, asking clarifying questions, and practicing gratitude. These techniques not only enhance the quality of feedback but also foster better relationships and continual growth. The hosts apply these principles beyond design, emphasizing their applicability in various life and work situations.
00:00 Welcome to the Business Ignite Podcast
00:16 Dealing with Harsh Feedback
01:07 Setting Clear Goals for Feedback
03:04 Framing Your Feedback Requests
03:57 Receiving Criticism Gracefully
06:20 The Importance of Gratitude
07:11 Applying Feedback in Everyday Life
09:11 Conclusion and Listener Engagement
Resources:
- Receiving Constructive Criticism - Receiving constructive criticism is essential for personal and professional growth, as it helps identify areas for improvement while fostering better communication and collaboration. The key is to approach feedback with an open mind, focusing on how it can enhance your skills and performance. By embracing criticism, individuals and businesses can continuously evolve and improve over time.
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Transcripts
Welcome back to the business ignite podcast, where we light the fire
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:for business growth and marketing success.
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:Your hosts, Ethan Walker, Samantha Reed,
bring you the latest trends, expert
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:insights, and actionable strategies
to fuel your business journey.
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:Let's ignite your potential.
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:Samantha Reed: Okay, so have you ever,
like, poured your heart into a design,
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:and you're so ready to share it, you
know, get it out there, and then the
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:feedback just Totally, it's not good.
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:Ethan Walker: That can be brutal.
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:Right, and it's like,
where did I go wrong?
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:Samantha Reed: You're not alone, trust
me, every creative goes through that.
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:I
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:Ethan Walker: guess that
makes me feel a little better.
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah.
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:Ethan Walker: But we're
tackling that today.
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:We're doing a deep dive on how to
make those cringeworthy critique
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:moments actually, you know.
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:Useful.
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:Useful, exactly.
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:We're using this article.
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:It's from 95 Visual.
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:Samantha Reed: Oh, I've heard of them.
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:Ethan Walker: Yeah, they're
like the design gurus, websites,
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:branding, the whole nine yards.
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:Samantha Reed: Okay.
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:Yeah, so they definitely
know their stuff then.
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:Ethan Walker: They're in the
trenches dealing with this every day.
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:And what really surprised me.
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah.
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:Ethan Walker: They don't
even start with like.
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:How to handle the criticism itself.
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah.
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:Really?
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:It's more about what you do
before you even show your work.
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:Ethan Walker: That's interesting.
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:Why does that matter so much?
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:Samantha Reed: Right.
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:I was wondering the same thing.
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:But they emphasize that so often, we
jump into asking for feedback without
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:really thinking about our goals.
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:Oh,
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:Ethan Walker: I'm totally guilty of that.
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:Me
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:Samantha Reed: too!
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:We're so excited to show off what
we've made, we forget to, you know,
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:Ethan Walker: Like set the stage.
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:Samantha Reed: Exactly.
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:We forget to ask ourselves
those basic questions.
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:Ethan Walker: Like what they got.
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:Like
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:Samantha Reed: what problem are we
even trying to solve with this design?
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:Who are we making this for?
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:Ethan Walker: Oh yeah, that makes sense.
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:Otherwise you just get vague
feedback that's not helpful.
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:Samantha Reed: Right, like
this doesn't work for me and
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:you're thinking, great, thanks.
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:Ethan Walker: Okay, so if you do set
those goals beforehand, then what?
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:Samantha Reed: Well, let's
say you're designing a logo.
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:Instead of, What do
you think of this logo?
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:You ask.
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:Ethan Walker: Does this logo
convey what I'm going for?
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah, or, I'm trying to
show trustworthiness and innovation.
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:Does this achieve that?
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:Ethan Walker: Oh, I see, you're giving
them something to measure it against.
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:Samantha Reed: Exactly.
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:The feedback becomes so much more
focused and actually helpful.
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:Ethan Walker: Okay, I
like where this is going.
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:It's like setting clear
expectations from the start.
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:Samantha Reed: Right.
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:And 95 Visual had this example about
a company designing a mobile app.
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:Ethan Walker: Okay.
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:Samantha Reed: It was really
sleek and stylish, but they
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:hadn't really thought about, like
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:Ethan Walker: Who was using it?
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah,
their target audience.
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:It was supposed to be
for older adults, but Oh
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:Ethan Walker: no, that's not good.
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah, they had to redo
the whole thing because the feedback was
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:all about how hard it was to navigate.
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:Ethan Walker: Oof, that's
a design nightmare.
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:Samantha Reed: If they'd just
clarified who they were designing
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:for, right from the beginning.
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:Ethan Walker: They could've
saved so much time and energy.
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:Samantha Reed: Exactly.
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:It's not just about getting feedback, it's
about making sure everyone's on the same
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:page about what we're trying to achieve.
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:Ethan Walker: I'm starting
to see that now, yeah.
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:Samantha Reed: Okay, so, we've
got our goals figured out.
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:We're ready with our elevator pitch.
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:Ethan Walker: Right.
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:Samantha Reed: Now, how do we actually
ask people for feedback without, you
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:know, making them run for the hills?
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:Ethan Walker: Like, how
do we make it less scary?
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:Samantha Reed: Exactly.
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:And 95 Visual says it can be as
simple as how you phrase the question.
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:Ethan Walker: Really?
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah.
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:It's all about framing.
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:Would you rather someone ask
for your opinion or your help?
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:Ethan Walker: Oh, help for sure.
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:Samantha Reed: Right.
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:judgy.
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:Exactly.
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:Ethan Walker: So, how do we ask
for help then, specifically?
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:So,
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:Samantha Reed: instead of, hey,
can I get your feedback on this?
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:It's more like
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:Ethan Walker: Hey, can you
lend me your expertise on this?
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah, or, Hey, I'm
really struggling with this concept.
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:Could you lend your eye to this?
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:Ethan Walker: You're asking for
their help, not just their judgment.
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:Samantha Reed: Exactly.
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:It shows that you value their input
and you see them as a partner.
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:Ethan Walker: Not just a critic
waiting to tear you down.
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:Samantha Reed: Right.
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:And it automatically makes the whole thing
feel less intimidating for both of you.
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:Ethan Walker: I like that approach.
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:Makes it more collaborative.
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:Samantha Reed: Okay.
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:So, We've set the stage with our goals.
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:We're asking for help like pros.
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:Ethan Walker: We're on a roll.
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:Samantha Reed: But then
comes the hard part.
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:Ethan Walker: Uh oh.
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:Samantha Reed: Actually
receiving the criticism.
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:The
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:Ethan Walker: moment of truth, huh?
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:Samantha Reed: And that's where
things can get interesting.
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:Because even when we prep and we think
we're ready, it's still tough to hear
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:that it's something we've worked on.
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:You know?
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:Ethan Walker: This isn't perfect.
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah.
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:Or that it needs more work.
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:Ethan Walker: Especially
when you've poured your heart
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:and soul into it, you know?
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:Samantha Reed: Totally.
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:95 Visual talks about detaching
your ego from the work.
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:Ethan Walker: Oh, that's so hard though.
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:Samantha Reed: Right.
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:It's easier said than done.
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:Ethan Walker: Way easier.
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:Samantha Reed: But they use this
analogy about learning to ride a bike.
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:Ethan Walker: Okay.
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:I can see where this is going.
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:Samantha Reed: You don't just hop on
and become a pro instantly, right?
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:There are wobbles.
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:Ethan Walker: Definitely some wobbles.
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:Samantha Reed: Some falls.
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:Maybe a few scraped knees along the way.
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:Yeah.
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:Ethan Walker: I think we
all have those battle scars.
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:Samantha Reed: For sure.
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:But each of those, like, design
wipe outs, those failures
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:Ethan Walker: They teach you something.
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:Samantha Reed: Right.
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:You learn how to balance,
how to steer, you know.
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:Ethan Walker: So you're saying that
those critiques, even the harsh
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:ones, they're like those wipe outs.
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:Samantha Reed: Okay, gotta be
honest, I kinda like that analogy.
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:Ethan Walker: It's all
part of the process, right?
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah.
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:Ethan Walker: It's not about you
as a designer being a failure.
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:It's just that the design itself
It needs some improvement.
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:Samantha Reed: Exactly.
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:It's like this version just needs
a little more, I don't know.
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:Ethan Walker: Refinement.
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:Samantha Reed: Yes.
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:Refinement.
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:And speaking of refinement, 95 Visual also
talks about asking clarifying questions.
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:Ethan Walker: Oh yeah, that's a good one.
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:Because
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:Samantha Reed: sometimes
the feedback is so vague.
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:Ethan Walker: The worst.
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:Samantha Reed: Like, this
just doesn't feel right, and
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:you're like, Okay, now what?
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:Right.
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:Like, should I scrap the whole thing?
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:Start over.
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:Ethan Walker: That's where those
clarifying questions come in handy.
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:Samantha Reed: Totally.
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:Instead of just nodding along
like you understand, They
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:Ethan Walker: dig a little deeper.
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:Samantha Reed: Exactly.
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:Can you elaborate on that?
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:What specifically feels off?
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:Ethan Walker: Is it the color scheme?
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:The layout, help me understand.
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:Samantha Reed: Yes, and when you
ask those questions, you're not just
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:getting more clarity for yourself.
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:Ethan Walker: You're showing the
other person that you actually
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:care about their feedback.
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:Samantha Reed: And that you're
trying to actually use it to improve.
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:Ethan Walker: Which makes them more
likely to, you know, actually give
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:you thoughtful feedback in the future.
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:Samantha Reed: Right, it turns it into
a dialogue, not just a one way critique.
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:Ethan Walker: I'm all about that
open communication for sure.
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:Samantha Reed: Me too.
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:Okay, so, We've talked about setting
clear goals, asking for help, detaching
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:our egos, asking clarifying questions.
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:Ethan Walker: What else is there?
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:Samantha Reed: Well, 95 visual
also emphasizes the importance of
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:Ethan Walker: Don't tell me.
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:Don't tell me.
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:Samantha Reed: Gratitude.
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:Ethan Walker: I knew it.
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:Gratitude.
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:Samantha Reed: Which sounds so simple.
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:Ethan Walker: It is simple.
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:But we forget it all the time.
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:Samantha Reed: All the time,
especially when the feedback is, well
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:Ethan Walker: Not exactly
what you wanted to hear.
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:Right,
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:Samantha Reed: when it feels
like a punch to the gut.
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:Ethan Walker: But even then
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:Samantha Reed: Even then
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:Ethan Walker: Think about it, someone
took the time to share their thoughts,
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:even if it wasn't sugar coated.
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:Samantha Reed: That's true, it is
coming from a good place, usually.
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:Ethan Walker: They want you
to succeed, and sometimes that
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:means being upfront and honest.
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:Samantha Reed: Okay, I see your point.
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:Even if the delivery isn't perfect,
the intention is usually good.
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:Ethan Walker: Exactly.
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:And when you acknowledge
that, when you show gratitude.
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:Samantha Reed: It makes the
whole experience more positive.
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:For
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:Ethan Walker: both of you.
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah.
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:Ethan Walker: And it builds trust, which
is crucial for any creative collaboration.
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:Samantha Reed: Okay, I'm convinced.
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:Gratitude, even when it's hard.
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:Ethan Walker: Especially when it's hard.
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:Samantha Reed: It's true though.
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:We've been talking about design critiques.
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:Ethan Walker: Right.
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:Samantha Reed: But this
applies to like, Everything.
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:Oh yeah, for sure.
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:That big presentation at work,
getting feedback from your boss.
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:Ethan Walker: Oh, nerve wracking.
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:Samantha Reed: The worst.
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:Or those performance reviews.
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:Ethan Walker: Don't even
get me started, am I right?
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:Samantha Reed: And even in our
personal lives, like, let's
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:say you're trying a new recipe.
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:Ethan Walker: Okay, I'm with you.
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:Samantha Reed: You make this
amazing dinner, and your
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:partner gives you that look.
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:Ethan Walker: You know the one.
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:Samantha Reed: Exactly!
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:It's like, what went wrong?
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:Ethan Walker: Instead of
getting defensive, though,
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:Samantha Reed: Yeah.
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:Ethan Walker: What if we use these
tips to actually, like, grow from it?
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:Samantha Reed: Okay, now I'm really
interested, how would that even work?
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:With the partner, the
recipe, the look, everything.
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:Ethan Walker: Alright, so, imagine
you're making this fancy pasta dish.
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:Samantha Reed: Okay.
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:Okay.
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:Ethan Walker: And instead of just serving
it up, you say, Hey, I was going for,
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:like, a really rich, savory flavor.
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:How's the seasoning hitting you?
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:Samantha Reed: Ooh, so sneaky.
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:You're getting feedback, but
you're also kind of guiding it.
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:Ethan Walker: Exactly.
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:It's not just a test
of your cooking skills.
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:It's like you're both in on it together.
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:Samantha Reed: Okay.
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:And then what?
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:What if they say, It
needs a little something.
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:Ethan Walker: Instead of panicking.
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:Samantha Reed: Right.
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:My instinct.
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:Ethan Walker: You ask.
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:What do you think it's missing?
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:More salt.
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:A squeeze of lemon.
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:Samantha Reed: So it becomes
this collaborative thing.
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:Ethan Walker: Exactly.
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:You're both working towards
the same delicious goal.
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:Samantha Reed: Oh, I like that.
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:No more kitchen nightmares.
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:Ethan Walker: And the best
part is, the more you do this,
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:the more natural it becomes.
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:You start seeing feedback as
something helpful, not scary.
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:Samantha Reed: It's like this
whole time we've been approaching
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:feedback like it's a battle.
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:Ethan Walker: Right.
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:Shields up.
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:Samantha Reed: When really, it's
more like building a bridge.
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:Ethan Walker: I love that.
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:Building a bridge together.
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:Samantha Reed: And when you do that,
it not only makes the feedback better.
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:Ethan Walker: It actually
strengthens your relationships too.
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:Samantha Reed: This is amazing.
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:I'm already thinking about how I can
use this in every part of my life.
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:Work, relationships, everything.
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:Ethan Walker: Me too.
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:It's all about changing your
perspective, approaching feedback with
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:curiosity, being open to learning.
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:Samantha Reed: Well said.
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:This deep dive has been
a game changer for sure.
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:Ethan Walker: Glad to hear it.
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:Samantha Reed: And listeners,
we want to hear from you.
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:How do you handle criticism?
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:What are your tips and tricks?
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:Share your experiences
with us on social media.
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:Ethan Walker: We'll be
checking those out for sure.
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:Samantha Reed: Until next
time, happy creating.
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:Speaker 2: Thanks for tuning
into the Business Ignite podcast,
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:where we fuel your business
growth and marketing success.
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:If you enjoyed today's episode,
be sure to rate and review us.
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:It does help others find the show.
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:Don't forget to follow us on social
media at Business Ignite podcast and
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:share this episode with a friend.
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:Keep the fire burning and remember,
your success is just one strategy away.
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:Until next time, stay ignited.
