Understanding the Disapproval Matrix: A Framework for Receiving Feedback
Feedback is an essential part of professional and personal growth. However, not all feedback is created equal.
Some feedback is helpful, while others are not. To understand and categorize feedback, entrepreneur Kevin Kelly has created a framework known as the Disapproval Matrix.
This matrix helps individuals identify the type of feedback they receive and how to respond to them. In this article, we will explore the Disapproval Matrix and how it can help you become better at receiving and responding to feedback.
The Disapproval Matrix
The Disapproval Matrix is a four-quadrant framework developed by Kevin Kelly. It comprises four types of feedback: Straight Haters,
Frenemies,
Critics, and
Lovers.
The categories are based on two criteria: the feedback giver’s intentions and the feedback quality.
The Quadrants
Straight Haters
Straight Haters are individuals who provide poor feedback with bad intentions. These people criticize without providing any constructive criticism or suggest a resolution.
These individuals may prove counterproductive and haters for no apparent reason. Straight Haters could be random trolls on the internet or people in your office trying to bring you down.
Straight Haters’ feedback should be ignored because they do not add value to any conversation.
Frenemies
Frenemies are people who criticize with bad intentions but have a history of mixed feelings towards you. These individuals may use the feedback as an opportunity to bring you down.
Therefore, it’s necessary to identify whether the feedback is truthful or borne out of malice. Engage them with an open mind and be ready to make use of their criticism carefully.
Critics
Critics are individuals who provide helpful criticism with good intentions. Their feedback is essential, as it represents an opportunity to improve in areas that need work.
Receive criticism from critics with a positive mindset, knowing that their feedback is beneficial. The purpose of their feedback is to help you improve, and their intent is genuine.
So, it is essential to ensure that criticism from
Critics is considered and implemented for an overall better result.
Lovers
Lovers provide feedback with good intentions and recognize the quality of your work. They may offer insights on how to improve, but their primary objective is to acknowledge your hard work.
Feedback from
Lovers should be received warmly with gratitude. Their approval can also serve as an instant motivation to do better.
Dealing with Straight Haters
Haters are everywhere. They are in our offices, on social media, and even among our friends and family.
They bring negativity and thrive on it. Dealing with haters can be a challenging exercise because their intentions are negative.
The only way to deal with Straight Haters is to ignore them. They do not deserve any energy or attention.
Engagement with Straight Haters is a waste of time and depletes your energy. The most productive approach to take is to focus on those who genuinely provide feedback and avoid any attention to the haters.
Takeaway
The Disapproval Matrix is a straightforward tool designed to help people navigate feedback. It provides an easy framework for categorizing feedback and recommends appropriate responses.
Not all feedback is created equal, and it’s critical to recognize the different categories and approaches to take based on the feedback. In addition, haters abound, and it’s essential to know how to recognize and deal with them.
Having this knowledge should help everyone become better at receiving and responding to feedback. In all, we should learn to appreciate feedback, especially the constructive ones as our overall success in life depends largely on how we receive feedback.
Dealing with
Frenemies: Responding to Criticism with Success
Frenemies are like double-edged swords. They are colleagues or superiors who criticize you, often with malicious intent, but they may still offer some truthful insights that you could use.
Responding to their comments may be challenging, but with the right mindset and approach, you can navigate
Frenemies effectively and turn criticism into success. Characterization of
Frenemies
Frenemies are people you know or work with, and they are often in a competitive situation with you. They may have mixed feelings towards you or harbor resentment because of past issues.
Their criticism might be personal and have a tone of hurtful comments and personal jabs. Examples of
Frenemies include co-workers trying to compete with you for the same project, or supervisors who feel threatened by your potential or popularity.
Recommended Response to
Frenemies
When dealing with
Frenemies, it is crucial to take their feedback seriously, not personally. Criticism should be considered based on the facts presented, without focusing on the emotions attached to them.
Try to ignore personal jabs and focus on the value in their feedback. Keep this mindset at the forefront of your thought process to help you respond appropriately.
It also helps to look closely at their feedback and try to extract any useful information. Criticism is only bad when it is not constructive.
Use valid parts of their feedback to improve your work. You might discover that their motivation for offering criticism is to bring you down.
However, there could still be some valuable feedback that could help you improve. Therefore, it’s essential to approach their comments carefully and without bias.
In responding to criticism from
Frenemies, it is best to show some level of professionalism and maturity. Do not engage with
Frenemies in a confrontational or aggressive manner.
Instead, respond calmly, and ask for clarification when necessary. Taking a higher road would endear your colleagues to you and may help to diffuse any tension.
Dealing with
Critics: Using Constructive Criticism to Improve
Critics often offer some of the best feedback because they tend to have a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field. They are often experts, enthusiasts, or individuals with a keen interest in the work that you do.
Critics typically provide feedback in a structured and organized way, which is actionable and helpful. Characterization of
Critics
Critics can be anyone: an expert in your field, someone interested in a particular activity, or a cold contact from a networking event. They tend to present their feedback in a thoughtful, organized manner, which is easy to understand and implement.
The feedback they provide is genuine, often providing value to the recipient.
Critics tend to be truthful and well-intentioned when providing their feedback.
Recommended Response to
Critics
When dealing with
Critics, it is crucial to listen carefully to their feedback. Criticism from a credible source should never be taken casually.
Instead, it should be carefully considered to ensure that all insights are captured. Constructive criticism can serve as an excellent opportunity for improvement.
The feedback given should be taken on board and used as a springboard for your next course of action. The aim is to have a plan for improvement.
Seize the opportunity to get better at what you do. Narrow down the points of criticism presented and develop a plan to improve on them.
Use the points of feedback as action points that you can improve on, step by step, until you have a result that satisfies both you and the critics.
Final Thoughts
The process of dealing with
Frenemies and
Critics can be a daunting task, but it is essential to realize that beyond the criticisms, there are a few valuable insights to gain. Feedback from
Frenemies should be taken seriously but viewed objectively, while feedback from critics should be considered carefully, given that it is based on valuable expertise.
Having an open mind and viewing criticism at face value will help you develop a plan to improve yourself steadily. In conclusion, constructive feedback serves as an opportunity for growth, and it is beneficial to all when applied accordingly.
Dealing with
Lovers: Maximizing the Benefits of Feedback from Supporters
Lovers, just like
Frenemies and
Critics, can provide useful feedback on your work.
Lovers are individuals who support you in your personal and professional life, including mentors, bosses, friends, and family.
They readily appreciate the quality of your work and acknowledge your efforts in achieving your goals. Their feedback is vital, and while it may not always be critical, it could still hold valuable insights.
Characterization of
Lovers
Lovers are individuals that hold you in high esteem, and they appreciate the quality of your work. They may include your family, friends, bosses, or mentors.
They understand your strengths and acknowledge your efforts in achieving success. Often, their feedback may not necessarily be negative, but it is constructive, offering insight on how to do your job effectively.
Their comments and feedback are typically well-intentioned, and they tend to provide thoughtful and practical suggestions. Recommended Response to
Lovers
When dealing with
Lovers, it is vital to be open-minded, and solicit their honest feedback when needed.
It is human nature to want to hear only positive feedback from our loved ones, but sometimes, a critical review can offer valuable insights into our work. Therefore, it is essential to ask them to provide their thoughts, whether positive or negative.
Such feedback shouldn’t be dismissed as not critical. It could contain much-needed pointers to help take your work to the next level.
While it may not be comfortable to receive critical feedback from
Lovers, it is essential to take their input seriously and act upon it where necessary. Even when it may sting, it is necessary to understand that the criticism is coming from a place of love and support.
Therefore, it is necessary to take critical reviews from
Lovers carefully and follow up with an actionable plan.
Benefits of Constructive Criticism
Constructive criticism still has immense value in professional growth, and it is essential to integrate it into your professional arsenal. It is a powerful tool that enables individuals to improve their performance, processes, and mindset.
Constructive criticism is feedback that assesses and evaluates an individual’s work with the primary aim of improving it. It is also an opportunity to learn.
the importance of constructive criticism in professional growth cannot be overemphasized. It provides a critical view of your work, highlighting areas of weakness and giving an opportunity to improve.
Continuous constructive feedback allows for growth and development in skillset, maintain professionalism, and attention to quality work. It can be used to ensure that organizations are performing at an optimal level, delivering excellent service to customers.
Caution Against Letting Wrong Criticism Get in the Way
Although constructive criticism is necessary for one’s growth, it’s easy to fall into the trap of taking criticism from the wrong sources. Sometimes the person giving criticism may not have the right experience or knowledge base to provide valuable feedback.
In such situations, it is essential to pay attention to the right people who possess the knowledge and expertise needed to evaluate your work properly. It is vital to take any criticism with a grain of salt; even from the most experienced and knowledgeable sources.
Their feedback should always be evaluated against the backdrop of your skills, knowledge, and values. Keeping an open mind and being amenable is key to successful acceptance and integration of constructive feedback.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with
Lovers,
Critics, and
Frenemies can be a challenging task. Learning how to extract value from their criticism will help hone professional skills and improve overall quality of work.
Constructive criticism is a powerful tool that helps to provide direction and aids in working towards optimal performance. However, it is crucial to pay attention to the sources of feedback and pay attention to critiques that hold merit.
It is a vital step towards growth and development and can be leveraged to achieve significant milestones in one’s career. In conclusion, understanding and effectively responding to feedback is crucial for personal and professional growth.
The Disapproval Matrix provides a framework for categorizing feedback into Straight Haters,
Frenemies,
Critics, and
Lovers. While it is important to ignore haters and take criticism from
Frenemies with a grain of salt, feedback from
Critics and
Lovers can offer valuable insights for improvement.
Constructive criticism is a powerful tool that helps individuals develop their skills and achieve optimal performance. However, it is essential to discern the right sources of feedback and not let wrong criticism hinder progress.
Embracing feedback and using it to drive growth is key to success. With an open mind and a willingness to take action, constructive criticism can be transformed into a catalyst for personal and professional development.
Remember, feedback, when received and responded to effectively, has the power to propel individuals towards fulfilling their potential.