13300: Only Use These Two Words When Receiving Feedback
Hey there, hero!
I’ve noticed that some people have forgotten, or have never learned, the most useful words you can use when you are getting feedback from those who might give you work.
Without judging the quality of the feedback, without deciding whether to use their feedback or not, just say “thank you.”
I’ve seen some younger (and older) creative types, when getting feedback, perceive any criticism as an attack. They then launch into an explanation of their choices, or contradicting the logic of the coach, teacher, casting director or editor, or any number of other defenses of their choices.
There’s no need to do that, unless asked to explain those choices.
If that isn’t requested, just thank the other party and move on. Whether you agree with them or not, there’s no need to feel attacked.
I mean, hey – you asked for the feedback (I’m talking about seeking work, not some “fan” telling you that you suck on social media = although “thank you” stops the conversation/trolling there as well), so be gracious about getting it.
Just say “thank you.” And listen constructively to whatever else they have to say.
Is that how you graciously receive feedback and constructive criticism? Or are you watching this episode and thinking I’m a weak-ass pushover who doesn’t fiercely stand up for his creative choices? Let me know in the comments below.
ANYTHING YOU WANT ME TO TALK ABOUT IN THE PODCAST? EMAIL ME AT [email protected] and let me know.
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Raw transcript:
Raw transcript:
Much of our job is looking for work,
auditioning, samples,
uh, research on new projects, things
like that, and creating our own content.
But when we’re auditioning for somebody
else, there are two words that you
should always lead with when you’re
receiving feedback on your auditions,
without exception. Those aren’t the two
words, but I’ll share what those two
words are up next in this episode of the
VO Heroes podcast.
One of the things that I’ve learned over
almost four decades of auditioning for
voice work for for more recently uh on
camera work, etc., is you’re going to
get feedback. You’re going to get
feedback from coaches. You’re going to
get feedback from teachers. You’re going
to get feedback from those people that
you’d like to be in business with, your
production partners, casting directors,
directors, writers, producers, etc. And
we tend to look at the examples that
other people set in this business
because it’s such a mystery in many
ways. Um, here’s something you can look
to as an example and be very, very sure
that you’re getting it right. There are
two words to keep in mind as you are
receiving and assimilating and
understanding and responding
to notes given to you on your
performance by those potential
uh potential production partners and
teachers and coaches. And those two
words are thank you.
Even if it’s the worst feedback ever,
you’re really chewing up the scenery,
aren’t you? I I got that feedback once
in in a in a a coaching session. You’re
really chewing up the scenery with that
scene, aren’t you? And I was and I
didn’t realize it. But learning to say
thank you
and just receiving what they’re saying,
deciding on your own silently what of
their response you’re going to use, what
you’re going to take under
consideration,
and what you’re going to reject. You may
end up projecting some of those things.
But be careful about that. Just show
gratitude. And I’m not saying that to be
nice. I’m saying that because that sets
you up to be open for something you may
not have noticed. I didn’t know I was
chewing up the scenery. I thought I was
doing great. And then as I looked at it,
I’m like, “Oh, okay. I get that.”
Start with thank you, not uh oh well why
I the reason I did that the reason I
wanted to do that the reason I made that
decision it’s not it’s not relevant you
have your reasons they have their
reasons it’s okay you’re putting
yourself out there as a potential talent
and if you don’t want feedback don’t ask
for feedback don’t put yourself out
there in a position where somebody else
is gatekeeping your work just create
your own content in your own little silo
and be done with it. But if you’re going
to work with other people,
those two words, thank you.
Even if that’s all you say, if somebody
gives you feedback on something and you
just say, “Thank you.” That’s it.
Simple. Um, now you may say, “Thank you.
I I I appreciate that. Tell me more
about that.” If you want to dig, if you
want to uh, you know, mine for more
information, it’s a great way to start.
Um, but what it does is it gives you an
on-ramp to improvement.
So, what are the two words? Thank you.
And I wonder how this hits you. I wonder
if this is news to you. Probably not. If
you’re uh a listener or watcher of these
podcast episodes, you know how important
I feel the relationship is when it comes
to production partners or potential
production partners.
Tell me how this lands for you. Uh go to
the comments below if you’re on
vioheres.com. Um uh let me know what
your thoughts are. or how do you
respond? What words do you use? Uh I’d
love to know. And if you want to share
this with a uh a talent who sometimes
gets their hackles up when they get any
sort of feedback, any sort of uh
criticism, any sort of uh um you know,
moments of of here, here’s how we think
you could improve. Uh here’s what we’re
looking for. Uh share it with them. Grab
the URL and send it their way. You can
also hit the like button. You can
subscribe to the channel. You can click
the notification bell to be notified
when new episodes come out. That would
be just fantastic. I would say to you in
that case, thank you. I’m David H.
Lawrence the 17th. I thank you so much
for watching and for listening and I
will see you in the next episode of the
VO Heroes podcast.
(from YouTube)
Agreed. The same applies to direction in a session. Take in the feedback, say “thanks” or “got it”, then incorporate it into the next take.
Adopt, Adapt, Improve.
Will use “Thank You” as my go to response from this time on out, David.
This can’t be stressed enough. There’s a reason you see the same folks working all the time. Sometimes it’s because they’re great at what they do or were right for the part.
But more often than not, it’s because they’re a positive and collaboratively-minded person folks enjoy being around.
I’d so much rather be in the studio with a growth-minded creative… rather than an “expert” who knows everything.
Great advice. Thank you.
Be nice to be around, never burn bridges!
Thank you keeps things nice and simple. No complication. It works great!
Yes! Agreed. Thank you, David.
Love this advice. Thank you.
I once was doing Snoopy in, You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. The director gave me a note on the timing of one of my “Arfs’. It seemed like it took me forever to get it. I didn’t disagree or argue, I honestly thought I was doing what he asked for. Until, one day, I did it as he wanted it and everyone in the cast applauded. I was still in high school and that’s when I learned that I wasn’t always the best person to judge my performance.
And a thought to add to the last one: that is also when I learned to listen, internalize and accept the review and use it to improve my performance.