Decoding Bad Feedback

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As a business writer, getting feedback is part of the job. Sometimes it is a compliment, like “This really resonates” or “I love how you framed the idea”. Sometimes it is thoughtful and constructive. But other times, it lands like a gut punch: harsh, confusing, or just plain discouraging. And when that happens, it can trigger more than just self-doubt.

For a long time, I thought I was just being sensitive. But apparently, this happens to every single writer I have known, at least once in their life. It can unravel our confidence for days and make us question why we started writing in the first place.

Why? Because harsh feedback has a way of feeding an old fear: the fear of failure. For me, every time I hit “send” on a draft, there is a whisper in my mind: What if this one fails? What if they don’t like my writing? What if they think I’m not good enough?

Even though my boss constantly reminds me that “Everyone makes mistakes. There is always room to learn”, the fear still lingers. Because when criticism feels personal, it is hard not to internalize it. I start to equate one piece of bad feedback with my entire ability as a writer.

How to translate bad feedback

My boss helped shift my perspective. She once said, “We are not creating literary masterpieces. This is business communication. The writing is a product and separate from you.” That simple distinction gave me space to breathe. It reminded me that bad feedback is not about me. It is about the message, the clarity, the impact.

And I also realized that not everyone who gives feedback can articulate exactly what is wrong, especially non-writers who may sense something is off but struggle to explain why. That is why decoding their feedback is important.

So, now, when someone says, “I do not like this piece, it is bad,” I try not to shut down. Instead, I ask follow-up questions like:

1. Was it the word choice? Too formal, too casual, too technical, or too plain?
   

2. Does it feel like too many ideas are packed into one section?
   

3. Was the structure hard to follow?
   

4. Did the writing fail to meet your intended goal or audience?

Ask them to point out specific parts of the project that need improvement. Without clear feedback, you risk making changes that do not meet your readers’ expectations—leading to endless revisions and mutual frustration.

Also, try asking them for a reference. I have found that feedback like “make it more engaging” or “more dramatic” makes much more sense when there is an example to look at.

We can also ask ourselves these questions before giving feedback. Instead of offering vague comments that lead to a loop of revisions, we should clearly explain why the writing doesn't work for us.

Advise them too

Do not let harsh feedback stop you from speaking up. People come to us not just for our writing skills, but for our insight. That is why guiding them is part of the job.

Personally, I do not take every suggestion because every writing choice I make is intentional and backed by reason.

For example, I once wrote an article for the ministry's internal magazine. I got feedback that they want the role of the president to be the main message in their article. I usually argue that the writing belongs to the ministry, so it should be the hero or main character in the story. The president’s role can be explained as part of the context, like why the ministry introduced a particular policy.

Or in some cases, when people want to use sophisticated wording for a general audience, I usually suggest using plain language instead, because it is simply easier for people to read and understand.

Likewise, if the tone feels too casual for an internal magazine intended for leaders and partners, I recommend a semi-formal tone. It strikes the right balance: professional and credible, without sounding too rigid.

In the end, feedback is just another part of the writing process. It is not always comfortable, but it is valuable. And we are only human. We do not always get it right the first time, but that is exactly why we need each other.

I am still learning to take bad feedback less personally and use it more productively. Because every draft, every revision, every conversation brings me one step closer to delivering not just a better product, but also becoming a better writer.

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The CGF Model was born from years of practice – in journalism, in business strategy, in training – and from a belief that communication is never a soft skill.

Nia Janiar

Lead Writer at B/NDL Studios. With over a decade of writing experience, she crafts everything from reports and social media posts to personal essays.