{"id":21028,"date":"2025-11-28T15:20:24","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T13:20:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/?p=21028"},"modified":"2025-12-08T12:17:00","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T10:17:00","slug":"office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper","title":{"rendered":"Office Buzz: When Feedback Feels Like Pepper"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It\u2019s performance review season again, and across Ghanaian offices, something interesting is happening. People are suddenly extra polite, emails come with \u201cKindly\u201d and \u201cPlease\u201d more than usual, and even Kwaku from Finance, who walks typically like he owns the building, is now greeting security with two hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there\u2019s one group of employees who struggle the most during this season:<br>The ones who find it difficult to take feedback. If you\u2019ve worked in any Ghanaian office long enough, you\u2019ve definitely met one or been one at some point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a00a7e8a9bd1\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a00a7e8a9bd1\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper\/#Meet_Adwoa_Serwaa_the_%E2%80%9CBut_I_Tried_My_Best%E2%80%9D_Employee\" >Meet Adwoa Serwaa, the \u201cBut I Tried My Best\u201d Employee<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper\/#Then_Theres_Mensah_the_%E2%80%9CSilent_Angry%E2%80%9D_Employee\" >Then There\u2019s Mensah, the \u201cSilent Angry\u201d Employee<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper\/#And_Then_Theres_Albert_the_%E2%80%9CNothing_Is_My_Fault%E2%80%9D_Specialist\" >And Then There\u2019s Albert, the \u201cNothing Is My Fault\u201d Specialist<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper\/#And_Of_Course_Angela_the_%E2%80%9CImmediate_Defender%E2%80%9D\" >And Of Course, Angela, the \u201cImmediate Defender\u201d<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper\/#Why_Do_Some_Employees_Struggle_With_Feedback\" >Why Do Some Employees Struggle With Feedback?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper\/#Moral_of_the_Story_Feedback_is_a_Gift_Even_When_It_Stings_Like_Pepper\" >Moral of the Story: Feedback is a Gift (Even When It Stings Like Pepper)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper\/#1_Listen_Fully_Before_Reacting\" >1. Listen Fully Before Reacting<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper\/#2_Ask_for_Specific_Examples\" >2. Ask for Specific Examples<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper\/#3_Ask_for_Guidance_on_How_to_Improve\" >3. Ask for Guidance on How to Improve<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper\/#4_Separate_the_Feedback_From_Your_Identity\" >4. Separate the Feedback From Your Identity<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/office-buzz-when-feedback-feels-like-pepper\/#5_Reflect_and_Take_Action\" >5. Reflect and Take Action<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-meet-adwoa-serwaa-the-but-i-tried-my-best-employee\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meet_Adwoa_Serwaa_the_%E2%80%9CBut_I_Tried_My_Best%E2%80%9D_Employee\"><\/span>Meet Adwoa Serwaa, the \u201cBut I Tried My Best\u201d Employee<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Adwoa from Customer Experience walked into her review with confidence. She expected praise, maybe even a surprise raise. But when her manager mentioned that she needed to improve her documentation, her smile vanished.<br>\u201cEi, but I\u2019ve been doing everything o!\u201d she protested.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Her manager took a deep breath. The review had barely started. Adwoa didn\u2019t hear \u201cimprove your documentation.\u201d What she heard was: You didn\u2019t work hard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It wasn\u2019t true, but because she took it personally, she couldn\u2019t accept the simple truth: she could do even better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-then-there-s-mensah-the-silent-angry-employee\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Then_Theres_Mensah_the_%E2%80%9CSilent_Angry%E2%80%9D_Employee\"><\/span>Then There\u2019s Mensah, the \u201cSilent Angry\u201d Employee<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Mensah from IT is calm by nature. But during feedback season, he becomes quieter than usual. His manager said, \u201cYour technical skills are strong, but your communication needs work. Sometimes the team doesn\u2019t understand your updates.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of listening, Mensah nodded politely, left the room, and told the entire office kitchen, \u201cThey don\u2019t appreciate me.\u201d But the truth was simple:<br>Mensah didn\u2019t communicate clearly\u2014and it was affecting the team\u2019s work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-and-then-there-s-albert-the-nothing-is-my-fault-specialist\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"And_Then_Theres_Albert_the_%E2%80%9CNothing_Is_My_Fault%E2%80%9D_Specialist\"><\/span>And Then There\u2019s Albert, the \u201cNothing Is My Fault\u201d Specialist<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Albert from the Purchasing &amp; Supply department always has a perfectly packaged explanation for everything, just never responsibility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAlbert, we noticed delays in procurement approvals last quarter.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOh, that one wasn\u2019t me, ooo.. the vendors were dragging their feet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere were also a few errors in the inventory reconciliation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cHmm, the system was acting strangely that day.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe also need you to communicate updates more proactively with the operations team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAh, but they too don\u2019t check their emails!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the end of the review, Albert had expertly shifted blame in all directions except inward. And with that, the chances of improvement stayed exactly where they were: pending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-and-of-course-angela-the-immediate-defender\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"And_Of_Course_Angela_the_%E2%80%9CImmediate_Defender%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>And Of Course, Angela, the \u201cImmediate Defender\u201d<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Angela from Sales approaches every feedback session the same way she approaches a demanding client, ready to counter every point. \u201cYour sales numbers were decent, but you need to improve your conversion rate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cEi, but most of the leads were cold!\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYour report submissions were late this month.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOh, that one network was misbehaving!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cYou also need to collaborate more with the Sales Support team.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cBut I\u2019m the one who helps everyone chase their clients!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>By the end of the review, Angela had defended every issue so passionately that nothing sank in, and nothing improved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-why-do-some-employees-struggle-with-feedback\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Do_Some_Employees_Struggle_With_Feedback\"><\/span>Why Do Some Employees Struggle With Feedback?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Because feedback, especially negative or corrective <a class=\"article-body-links\"href=\"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/7-ways-to-utilise-performance-review\">feedback<\/a>, touches the ego.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In Ghanaian culture, where many of us grew up hearing \u201cWell done\u201d only on special occasions, feedback can feel like an attack rather than guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But here\u2019s the secret most people miss:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Feedback isn\u2019t about what you didn\u2019t do well.<br>It\u2019s about what you can become if you adjust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-moral-of-the-story-feedback-is-a-gift-even-when-it-stings-like-pepper\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Moral_of_the_Story_Feedback_is_a_Gift_Even_When_It_Stings_Like_Pepper\"><\/span>Moral of the Story: Feedback is a Gift (Even When It Stings Like Pepper)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Performance reviews aren\u2019t designed to disgrace you. They\u2019re meant to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Help you grow.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Show you blind spots.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improve your skills.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Strengthen team collaboration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prepare you for bigger roles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Taking Feedback Well Is a Professional Superpower. Here\u2019s how to handle it like a true pro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-listen-fully-before-reacting\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Listen_Fully_Before_Reacting\"><\/span>1. Listen Fully Before Reacting<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When someone gives you feedback, your first instinct may be to defend yourself. \u201cThat\u2019s not what happened!\u201d or \u201cI only did that because\u2026\u201d<br>Resist that urge. Stay quiet, stay present, and listen till the very end. Most misunderstandings happen because people react before they hear the complete picture. Listening fully sets the tone for maturity and earns you respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-ask-for-specific-examples\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Ask_for_Specific_Examples\"><\/span>2. Ask for Specific Examples<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Vague feedback is hard to act on. So ask: \u201cCould you share an example?\u201d or \u201cWhen did this happen?\u201d Real examples help you understand the context, spot patterns, and identify what you can actually change. Clarity turns personal feedback into practical action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-ask-for-guidance-on-how-to-improve\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Ask_for_Guidance_on_How_to_Improve\"><\/span>3. Ask for Guidance on How to Improve<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Feedback isn\u2019t just about what went wrong; it\u2019s about how to get better.<br>Ask questions like: What would you recommend going forward? How can I meet expectations better? This shows maturity, coachability, and commitment to growth. Leaders love working with people who want to learn, not just defend.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-separate-the-feedback-from-your-identity\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Separate_the_Feedback_From_Your_Identity\"><\/span>4. Separate the Feedback From Your Identity<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This one is tough but crucial.<br>Feedback is about your performance or output, not your character, personality, or potential.<br>When you detach your self-worth from the critique, you\u2019re able to evaluate it more logically, without taking it as an attack. Strong professionals understand that you can be good and still have areas to improve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-reflect-and-take-action\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Reflect_and_Take_Action\"><\/span>5. Reflect and Take Action<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Feedback is only powerful when applied. Take time to process what you heard. Ask yourself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cWhat can I start doing?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cWhat should I stop doing?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u201cWhat should I continue doing?\u201d<br>Then make changes, even small ones. Consistent action turns feedback into results, and results turn you into someone people trust for bigger responsibilities.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Mastering feedback isn\u2019t just a workplace skill; it\u2019s a career advantage. The professionals who rise fastest aren\u2019t always the smartest or the loudest; they are the ones who learn, adapt, and evolve. When you listen without defensiveness, seek clarity, ask for direction, and act on what you know, you transform feedback from uncomfortable to powerful. Remember: every piece of feedback is a bridge to your next level. Walk across it with confidence, humility, and purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is the Office Buzz! Work, Culture and Everything in between!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Share this article with that colleague who needs to read this.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s performance review season again, and across Ghanaian offices, something interesting is happening. People are suddenly extra polite, &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":132,"featured_media":21029,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1116],"tags":[2080,1739,1724,1295],"content_author":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-21028","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-life-at-work","8":"tag-feedback","9":"tag-office-buzz","10":"tag-performance-appraisal","11":"tag-performance-review"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/132"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21028"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21028\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21028"},{"taxonomy":"content_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.jobberman.com.gh\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_author?post=21028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}