We’re not always expecting it, but receiving criticism — or praise — is a skill that can be improved with practice. Often the prospect of conversation involving feedback can be daunting. Providing and receiving effective feedback is something you have to learn and work on as you build your career. Here are some tips for using feedback successfully.

Whether it’s addressing a conflict with a friend, providing constructive feedback at work, or discussing sensitive topics with family members, difficult conversations are inevitable. Especially at work, where you must continue to work together smoothly and cooperatively, being able to have difficult conversations is an important skill. These conversations can be challenging, but with the right approach, they can lead to positive outcomes and stronger relationships. Here are some strategies to help you navigate difficult conversations effectively.
 

For most professionals, this is the time of year when performance reviews come up. Whether your review takes place once a year or more often, it’s not unusual to have some apprehension about the process and the actual meeting. But instead of stressing over your performance review, look at it as an opportunity to speak directly with management about topics that matter to you. If you prepare thoroughly, you can walk into the meeting with confidence. Here are a few tips for getting there.

Whether you’re new to the professional world or a veteran, it’s important to be an active participant in your own career. Instead of waiting patiently for your manager to approach you with new responsibilities or more challenging work, seek out opportunities for growth and involvement beyond your immediate daily duties. Raise your hand when something is intriguing or when your team needs help. Any new experience contributes to your professional development and helps build strong relationships. Don’t sit back.

Getting to a place where you stand out among your peers can be challenging. With remote and hybrid work environments, unstable industries, and more generations in the workforce than ever, employers aren’t always able to focus on the value individual team members bring. Instead of hoping that your manager recognizes your value, take steps to show them. Here are some ways to highlight your value to your manager and organization.
 
Do (Good) Work

So much of your time and energy leading up to the early years of your career is spent learning and perfecting the skills needed for the job. Often — especially in STEM fields — those skills can be specific and require much hands-on training. But in order to achieve long-term success in any career, you must also develop soft skills. In fact, these transferable skills — skills that you apply to any job — are what hiring managers are seeking in their employees. Regardless of where you are on your career path, be sure to continue developing these vital skills.