Many companies spend a lot of time coaching managers on how to give feedback but little time is spent on how to receive it! Dealing with negative feedback is never easy. It can make us feel defensive which can impair on how we use it effectively. Having a better feel for how we can (or even if and when) we should respond is just as important as understanding how to give it.  Here are five empirically supported actions that can help with hearing critical feedback:

1. Don’t rush to react
2. Get more data
3. Think about “public relations”
4. Don’t be a martyr
5. Remember that change is not your only option

If you want more insights, take a look at Tacha Eurich’s article in HRB.