Episode 62 – Bulletproof: How to Take a Hit and Stay in the Game
From Work Mom Says®, Don't Be An Idiot! by Work Mom Says®
April 7, 2026 · Season 7 · Episode 62
About this episode
Lori Jo Vest discusses how to handle feedback constructively to foster career growth.
#WorkMomSays feedback isn’t an attack — it’s an opportunity to grow, if you know how to handle it. In this episode, Lori Jo Vest breaks down why feedback feels so personal, especially early in your career, and how to shift from defensiveness to strategy. She explains why being “coachable” is one of the most important traits for career growth, how managers actually view feedback conversations, and what to do in the moment when criticism hits hard. Through real workplace examples, Lori shares practical ways to pause, respond professionally, and use feedback to your advantage — helping you stand out, grow faster, and stay in the game. Themes discussed in this episode Why feedback feels personal and how to separate your identity from your work The importance of being coachable in professional environments How managers view feedback as an investment in employees Practical strategies for responding to criticism without reacting emotionally Handling difficult or unfair feedback from clients and coworkers Episode Highlights Time-stamped inflection points from the show 00:07 — Lori introduces the idea that feedback is not an attack, but a necessary part of growth in your career. 02:03 —…
People in this episode
Hosts: Lori Jo Vest, Lori
Topics covered
- feedback
- career growth
- coaching
- professional development
- emotional intelligence
Keywords
- coachable
- defensiveness
- criticism
- workplace examples
- professional response
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Bulletproof: How to Take a Hit, Work Mom Says Don’t Be an Idiot
More episodes of Work Mom Says®, Don't Be An Idiot!
- Episode 64 – “You Can’t Block Real Life” — Unlearning What Technology Taught Us · May 21, 2026
- Episode 63 – Will AI Take Your Job? Let’s Actually Talk About It · April 24, 2026
- Episode 61 – WorkMomSays: You’re On Your Own. Good. · March 18, 2026
- Episode 60 – Confident, Fluent, and Wrong: AI & The New Workplace Trap · March 3, 2026
- Episode 59 – Dealing with Difficult People: What to Do When You’re the Only Adult in the Room · February 6, 2026
- Episode 58 – Still Standing: What 2025 Took, Taught, and Left Behind · December 29, 2025
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