Match the strategies for handling challenging feedback (1–5) with the dialogues (a–e).

1. Accepting criticism

2. Defending your position

3. Finding out more

4. Pushing back

5. Neither accepting nor rejecting but committing to reflect on the feedback

a) A: It’s your fault. You sent the wrong report and now I have to correct everything.

B: I don’t agree. It was you who sent the wrong report template in the first place.

b) A: There are too many mistakes in your work. You need to improve.

B: Could you tell me some more about the mistakes?

c) A: So, are you going to change? You need to change.

B: I’m not sure yet. You’ve given me some interesting things to think about. Thanks. I’ll get back to you.

d) A: Your team often causes delays by asking too many questions. It really disrupts the project timelines.

B: We can’t deliver our project reports until we have enough information. We need to ask questions.

e) A: You often interrupt others in meetings and it affects the atmosphere for everyone else.

B: OK, that’s a fair point. I know I need to do something about that and I’ll try to not let it happen again.