Have you ever found yourself spiralling when you receive some feedback that you consider ‘negative’? You’re not alone. A common thinking response is to over-generalise feedback we receive.
When we over-generalise feedback, we tend to:
Jump to conclusions without full context.
Let one ‘negative’ feedback comment define our entire performance or identity.
Assume that a single piece of ‘negative’ feedback applies to everything we do.
Believe that if one part of our work needs improvement, we are a failure!
This kind of thinking doesn’t support our growth—it blocks it.
It’s easy to slip into the trap of ‘one comment = complete failure,’ especially if our internal narrative is already whispering, ‘See, I told me I’m not good enough.’ (We like to be right!)
We may miss the finer distinctions of the feedback, including it’s usefulness. We lump ‘negative’ feedback in with all the feedback and overlook what’s actually working.
We may fail to identify success factors. We ignore the specific behaviours or actions that did go well.
We may struggle to see possible solutions. When feedback feels like a sweeping judgment, it’s harder to stay curious, explore options, or move forward with clarity.
The next time you receive feedback and label it as ‘negative’, ask yourself:
What you did well?
To what degree were you successful?
What can you build on?
What’s the next step forward?
Feedback Fitness means being empowered to value what is useful in the feedback, let go of what’s not, and keep moving forward.
These programs are designed to help leaders and teams reframe how they give, receive, and respond to feedback—so it fuels growth rather than fear.
Let’s make feedback your team’s most powerful growth tool.