Summary of "5 Words That Will Improve Your Ability to Receive Feedback"

Core idea

The speaker’s single, simple technique to receive feedback well: say “Thank you” and then “Tell me more.” This replaces the automatic defensive response and opens space to learn.

“Thank you — I appreciate you taking the time. Tell me more about what you saw.”

Key mindset shifts

See feedback as a learning opportunity (“the breakfast of champions”), not an attack.
Treat your first reaction as curiosity and appreciation rather than defense.

Practical method

Sincerely thank the person for their time and interest.
- Examples: “Thank you for taking the time,” “I appreciate the feedback.”
Immediately invite more detail.
- Prompts: “Tell me more,” “What did you notice?” “Give me a few more examples,” “How might I have been different?”

Notes:

Avoid following “thank you” with “but” (e.g., “Thanks, but…”). That signals defensiveness and shuts the giver down.
Even if you doubt the accuracy of the feedback, still invite more detail — a small truthful kernel (even 10%) can be valuable.

Concrete phrasing examples

“Thank you — I appreciate you taking the time. Tell me more about what you saw.”
“Thanks for that feedback on my presentation. What specifically could I improve?”
“Thank you for your thoughts on my leadership style. Can you give me a couple of concrete examples?”