Checking My Mindset When Receiving Feedback

I recently received constructive feedback on a dashboard I built to help colleagues monitor a key campaign:
• “I couldn’t find the info I needed easily.”
• “There’s too much unnecessary information.”
• “The tool names aren’t intuitive.”

At first, I was surprised. After all, I had only included what was requested. But after stepping back, I realized: the feedback was spot on.

The dashboard had evolved—originally built for managers to track nearly 100 customers, then customized for another region, and now used by individual colleagues for one customer at a time.

Three distinct use cases.
One page.
No wonder it felt cluttered for someone new to it.

I’ll be redesigning it next week with a sharper focus on who it’s for, and how it should work for them.

But here’s the part that really stayed with me:
Even though I wanted honest feedback, I still caught myself getting defensive while hearing it.

So I’ve been reminding myself:
• Feedback isn’t an attack.
• Don’t reach for a shield—bring out a sponge to absorb instead.
• If it’s hard to hear, it might be exactly what you need to hear.

Have you ever caught yourself doing the same?
What helps you receive tough feedback with an open mind? I’d love to hear your tips.