The Secret to Handling Tough Criticism, with Gordon Ramsay
When you think of Gordon Ramsay, you probably think of shouting, sarcasm, and one-liners hot enough to sear a steak. But behind the fire is a habit that’s far more important than the volume: He takes feedback professionally, not personally.
In this episode, we go beyond the reputation and dig into the mindset that helped Gordon rise, not just to fame, but to genuine mastery. From his early football dreams to Michelin-starred kitchens, Ramsay shares how embracing criticism, and choosing to learn from it instead of defending against it, changed everything.
We explore:
Why your first reaction to feedback is rarely your bestWhat neuroscience tells us about why feedback feels so threateningThe “three-beat” rule that can shift how you respondA better way to give feedback: the feedforward methodHow humility, not ego, fuels real growthWhether you're leading a team, learning a craft, or just trying to handle tough conversations better, this episode is for you.
Because growth isn’t about never being wrong. It’s about what you do when someone tells you you are.
Listen to the full episode with Gordon Ramsay: https://pod.fo/e/1fa614
Here is more information on the studies referenced:
The effects of feedback interventions on performance, published in Psychological Bulletin: Avraham N. Kluger & Angelo DeNisi (1996)The High Performance Podcast
Welcome to High Performance. Through fascinating conversations with remarkable guests, Jake Humphrey and Damian Hughes uncover the secrets behind High Performance and explore how we can all become the best version of ourselves.
We focus on uncovering the learnings from top performers in every field, from sport to entertainment, business, health and wellness. No matter where our guests have excelled, they all have first-hand experiences and lessons to share.
On High Performance we find out what non-negotiable behaviours they employed to get them to the top and keep them there.
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- No. of episodes: 587
- Latest episode: 2025-07-09
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