Strategies for Dealing With Negative Feedback. And Benefiting From It.Too many business leaders don't know how to assess risk and wisely respond to negative perceptions, both in-house and external.

Negative perceptions happen, inside and outside a business, and when strong enough, can take the form of a wave of anger, resentment and backlash for a company, leader or both. Painful perception-related consequences are always a risk, so what can you do to avoid them, and what can be learned if they do occur?

Business is not just products, services, value, revenue and profit. People are involved, who are often closely watching and judging decisions and behavior as acceptable or egregious. It's important therefore to accept that vocal disproval can be aimed your way. A failure to show both emotional and professional intelligence in responding to it, and promptly, and you risk being exposed additionally, not least in regular and social media. This type of mindset — whether characterized by indifference, insensitivity or aggression — is essentially playing fast and loose with risk management, reputation and financial stability.