We're supposed to learn from our own mistakes that other people's errors can be instructive

too, from efforts to control the weather that went disastrously awry to the untimely death

of the Segway boss. History is a treasure trove, mishaps and meltdowns that can teach us

all. I'm Tim Harford, host of cautionary tales, the podcast that mines the greatest fiascoes

of the past for their most valuable lessons. Listen to cautionary tales on the iHeart Radio

at Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeart Radio.

Good morning. This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast Podcast.

Today's tip is about how to respond to feedback about improving your work.

Start by saying thank you for bringing that to my attention. Whether you intend to do anything

about the feedback or not, this phrase keeps things courteous and makes the person giving the

feedback feel heard. Whatever your field, it is likely that you sometimes get feedback about what

you could do differently, perhaps from a boss or a client or from a trusted colleague,

but it could also be from a person you've never met, who just wants to share his or her opinion.

Sometimes this feedback is phrased nicely, and sometimes it's just blunt.

You know how this goes. I had a hard time hearing you during that presentation,

you really need to use a mic next time. Or you use the phrase you know way too often,

you really should practice more to get rid of it. Or this signage is so confusing, I'm surprised

anyone can find your office. Or my appointment was an hour ago, and I haven't even laid eyes on the

doctor yet. Whatever the nature of the feedback and whoever is offering it, thank you for bringing

that to my attention, can be a great response. For one thing, if you receive the feedback in person,

simply saying thank you for bringing that to my attention, saves you from the awkward moment

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