What do you do if your speaking event receives negative feedback?

Understand that not all audiences are worthy or intelligent, and they paid to be there while you were paid to be there, so who's loss is it really! Jokes apart, some gigs are just no-win gigs because of the set-up, audience frame of mind or a multitude of factors. Enough people have posted wise advice on how to learn, improve and the like. However sometimes you've just got to take the hit, realise it was a bad day at the office and that you did your best under the circumstances. You will live to fight (and speak) another day. As the saying goes, chin up, else the crown slips!

Don't let negative feedback silence you! Here's your comeback plan: Gather Feedback: Seek specifics from organizers or attendees. Be a feedback magnet, not a know-it-all know-nothing! Analyze Constructively: Identify areas for improvement, not reasons to sulk. Be a learning machine, not a broken record! Adapt & Improve: Refine your content, delivery, or audience engagement. Be a shapeshifting speaker, not a one-trick pony! Move Forward with Grace: Thank them for the feedback and publicly acknowledge your commitment to growth. Be a classy communicator, not a drama queen! Remember, setbacks are stepping stones. Now go forth and conquer negative feedback like a resilient speaker with open ears, and the belief in your ability to improve!

If your speaking event receives negative feedback, accept criticism graciously by listening, reflecting, and taking actionable steps to improve. For example, if attendees comment that your presentation lacked clarity, respond positively by thanking them for their input. Say, "I appreciate your feedback and will work on making my points clearer in future presentations." Then, review your speech, identify areas for improvement, and perhaps seek additional training or advice. This approach not only demonstrates professionalism but also helps you grow as a speaker.

One should realize that without embracing criticism, failure, and negativity, success is unattainable. If criticism and negativity affect you, then you are not meant for success. Therefore, before entering the field, cultivate an attitude prepared to accept criticism and negativity. This mindset helps you overcome situational shocks and maintain a calm demeanor to address criticism effectively. Remember, criticism provides an opportunity to examine areas that may have been overlooked. Embrace it and use it as a catalyst for improvement. As I always say, Prepare for the Best & be ready for the worst. Attitude is everything.

When we prepare ourselves, why do we look in the mirror? It's because we want to ensure that everything is in order with our appearance—our makeup, attire, and so on. If we notice any flaws, we promptly correct them to enhance our appearance. Feedback serves as a mirror reflecting your performance. During preparation, we consider factors within the scope of our understanding. However, when performing, we are subject to the observations of many minds. It is natural to be judged, evaluated, and criticized based on their perceptions, which may reveal aspects our minds did not anticipate during preparation. Therefore, feedback serves as your mirror to identify and improve any flaws to enhance your performance. Analyze it accordingly.

Aceptar comentarios es solo el comienzo; el verdadero valor está en su descomposición minuciosa. No te limites a buscar temas comunes; profundiza en las críticas más duras y examina sus raíces. ¿Qué patrones emergen y qué revelan sobre tus debilidades? Identifica no solo áreas de mejora, sino también oportunidades para innovar y sorprender a tu audiencia. ¿Por qué conformarse con ajustes menores cuando puedes reinventar tu enfoque? Utiliza los comentarios negativos como catalizadores para transformaciones radicales en tu estilo y contenido, asegurando que cada evento futuro no solo sea mejor, sino revolucionario.

Analyze the negative feedback(s), balance it with the positive. Look at the commonalities if any in the negative feedback(s).

É essa analise que faz a diferença entre um ótimo trabalho de um trabalho medíocre, que não entender o feedback do público, se perde no seu próprio trabalho e não vai conseguir chegar ao próximo nível, e vai ficar parado no tempo.

Three Infallible Steps to Transform Negative Feedback into Energy for Change There is a foolproof three-step rule to turn negative feedback into energy for change. **Step 1**: Ask yourself questions like: - Why didn't I see this? - Is this just one person's perspective, or does it reflect a broader view? **Step 2**: Ask others about the feedback, preferably those you know will be honest with you. **Step 3**: Take action to change! Once you identify the issues, focus on seeking improvement.

La complacencia ante críticas negativas es tu peor enemigo. No te limites a reflexionar pasivamente; disecciona cada comentario con rigor brutal. Examina cómo tus fallos percibidos reflejan brechas en tu autopercepción y preparación. Pregunta a mentores y detractores qué cambios concretos harían. ¿Tu entrega realmente captó la esencia de tu mensaje o fue un ejercicio de autopromoción vacía? La verdadera autorreflexión va más allá de la introspección superficial; exige un análisis despiadado y acciones correctivas radicales. Solo así transformarás críticas en herramientas de mejora y crecimiento imparable.

As Stephen R. Covey once said, “Honesty is the fastest way to prevent a mistake from turning into a failure.” By honestly evaluating the feedback, you can identify specific weaknesses and understand how your performance was perceived. This clarity allows you to develop targeted improvements and enhance future presentations. Moreover, choosing to view criticism as a learning opportunity builds resilience, helping you grow and handle similar situations more effectively in the future.

You know the mirror shows our faults but it cannot fix it. So now a honest reflection should be made and action plan be crafted.

É como eu falo, o palestrante tem que ter a mente aberta, para receber o que vem do público, e conhecer a si próprio, para que consiga fazer uma autorreflexão mais acertiva, tanto do trabalho quanto da própria vida

Self-Reflection on Negative Feedback Receiving negative feedback can be challenging, but self-reflection is a powerful tool for turning criticism into growth. First, ask yourself: "Why does this affect me so much?" and "What can I learn from this?" Analyze if the feedback is an individual perception or a view shared by others. Next, talk to trusted individuals to get an honest perspective. They can help validate or refute the feedback. Finally, use the insights to take action. Identify areas for improvement and develop a plan to evolve. Self-reflection not only transforms criticism into opportunities but also strengthens your personal and professional growth.

Não se deve parar jamais de buscar o auto conhecimento, estar sempre a frente do seu público e dar a eles o que precisam, buscar sempre coisas novas, métodos, dinâmicas e abordagens. Vamos assim estar sempre no palco.

La autorreflexión superficial y ajustes menores no son suficientes. Tienes que reimaginar radicalmente tu enfoque. No solo ajustes el contenido; reestructura tu discurso para provocar y desafiar profundamente a tu audiencia. Experimenta con formatos de entrega revolucionarios y técnicas de participación que rompan la rutina. Establece objetivos audaces que transformen tu estilo y metodología de manera tangible. Diseña un plan de acción implacable que incluya feedback continuo de críticos severos, asegurando que cada paso te acerque a una evolución significativa. Solo así podrás medir un progreso real y constante hacia la excelencia.

In crafting a plan, make sure it is SMART. This is where you now have the opportunity to improve on your offerings. Remember, change is the only constant, and planning how you do it can only be a plus

Now it's time for implementation, do your changes gradually. Look at the question you sought to answer when you chose to purpose walk by being a public speaker. You have life experiences so use your stories to open hearts and lend authenticity to your presentations. Be engaging, be topical and be willing to stretch your comfort zone. However ensure changes are implemented in a timely manner. Practice, practice, practice as well.

If your speaking event receives negative feedback, start by thoroughly reviewing the comments to identify specific areas for improvement. For example, if feedback highlights that your speech was too long or lacked engagement, decide to shorten your presentation and incorporate more interactive elements. Create an actionable plan, such as rehearsing more to manage time effectively, using audience engagement techniques, or refining your content for clarity and impact. Implement these changes in your next presentation, like introducing live polls or Q&A sessions to involve the audience more. Actively addressing feedback and making targeted improvements shows your commitment to delivering high-quality, impactful speeches.

If your speaking event receives negative feedback, start by reviewing the feedback to identify areas for improvement. Implement necessary changes, such as incorporating more interactive elements if engagement was lacking. After making these adjustments, seek feedback on your new approach. For example, if you previously received comments about low engagement, add interactive elements like Q&A sessions or live polls in your next speech. Then, ask your audience for feedback on these changes to gauge their effectiveness. This continuous improvement process demonstrates your commitment to delivering impactful presentations.

It’s not been a problem, yet, mainly because when entering the room I assess the human elements and conditions and if the topic is not favourable then the subject is managed and presented accordingly. It’s intuition.