Seeking and Handling Feedback

“You want the truth? You can’t handle the truth!” – A Few Good Men

A couple of weeks ago, one of my colleagues and I resumed our collaborative reviews on several documents on our operations. Unlike before when I was the one who sought their comments on my drafts, it was the other way around this time, with me reviewing theirs.

Coming from a multicultural work environment where feedback – whether positive or negative – were reviewed and resolved in a professional manner, I was surprised with the animosity and defensive stance that was now laid out in black and white in response to my remarks to the drafts. It was obvious that the comments, suggestions, and questions that I posted on the content, consistency, grammar, and aesthetics of the drafts were not at all welcome.

The remarks were taken as though they were personal attacks that were meant to question their authority or knowledge on the subject, when in fact the remarks were about the documents themselves.

So here’s a couple of questions for you. When you seek feedback, are you sure that you’re ready for the answers and some further probing? How do you handle feedback?

(P.S. Most of the drafts were later shown to be copied mostly verbatim from old references that had since been superseded, but that’s a subject for a separate article.)

Fence-sitting

For someone who does things passionately or not at all, it annoys me to no end whenever I come across fence-sitters. To a certain extent, indecisiveness is warranted. After all, there are factors to be considered before making a smart choice. However, when you've been spoonfed with options and criteria for months, fence-sitting is not acceptable. Not only does it show disinterest, it also shows lack of respect. Time lost can never be recovered, unless you've found your own elusive wormhole.

DIY Earrings Organizer

I love collecting earrings especially the dangling ones. I would usually bring home a new pair whenever I go back from trips as a souvenir or whenever something catches my fancy. However, rummaging through a jewelry case looking for THAT lone pair isn't my idea of fun especially when you need to rush.

This is where a DIY earrings organizer comes in handy. Your pairs are on display and it'll be easy to choose and place back the earrings.

I made this using only two materials.
1. a silkscreen frame - bought from the bookstore's art supplies, and
2. an old picture frame fold-up stand.

Instead of the silkscreen frame, you could also make your own mesh frames by upcycling old picture frames. Just remove the glass from the frame and replace it with a mesh-like material such as the mesh screen used for screen doors and windows or an old see-through scarf. Secure the mesh with hot glue. Once the glue cools, put the mesh frame on to the frame stand and you're done!

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