learning from feedback Archives

“What excites me about corporate banking is its breadth—you’re assigned a client base and take responsibility for everything that client does within Wells Fargo,” says Alex Douklias. “It’s a dynamic mix of high-level strategy and hands-on problem-solving, which keeps every day interesting.”

Alex Douklias is vice chair of Corporate Banking within the Banking division of Wells Fargo Corporate & Investment Banking. In this role, Douklias provides leadership for origination of capital markets solutions and traditional banking products to support large corporate clients across all industries. Douklias is also actively involved in Corporate Banking’s growth and talent development initiatives.

Over three decades in banking, Douklias has driven business growth, shaped future leaders, and set a standard for excellence that continues to define her career. From navigating client relationships to championing professional growth, she brings a strategic mindset and an unwavering focus on impact—both for her clients and the next generation of banking professionals.

A Career Built on Versatility and Client-Centric Solutions

Douklias began her banking career in the fast-paced world of markets, first at Scotiabank and later at J.P. Morgan, where she thrived on the intensity and structure. As her career progressed and her personal priorities evolved, she sought a path that offered both professional growth and flexibility.

“When I was in markets, we were typically at our desks by 7 a.m., which meant I was never able to drop my son off at preschool,” she reflects. “Moving into corporate banking gave me more control over my schedule. I could still cover clients, but I also had the flexibility to be there for the moments that mattered.”

In transitioning to corporate banking, Douklias found a field that aligned with her strengths and interests, particularly in the breadth of challenges and opportunities that come with working with corporate clients.

“I don’t think of it as selling. I think of it as delivering solutions. My focus is on understanding my clients’ pain points and finding ways to help. If we do that well, the business naturally follows.”

Douklias’ client-centered approach propelled her forward in corporate banking, where she became head of the North America business in Global Corporate Banking at J.P. Morgan. Now, as vice chair of Corporate Banking at Wells Fargo, Douklias is focused on both business growth and leadership development.

“I’ve been brought in to help on several initiatives, which is exciting, but what matters most to me is developing the next generation of leaders. That means spotting talent, pushing existing leaders out of their comfort zones, and encouraging them to think bigger about the future of Wells Fargo. I want them to move beyond the day-to-day and embrace a more aspirational vision—and it’s exciting to see that shift happen.”

Navigating Client Relationships Requires EQ

For Douklias, having a client-centered approach requires being able to juggle competing demands while keenly assessing their urgency.

“In corporate banking, you have to be extremely organized,” she says. “There are multiple products, multiple clients, and it is challenging to chase everything at once. Prioritization is key.”

Equally important is the ability to read and navigate different personalities, both internally and externally. “Working with clients across industries and influencing multiple stakeholders requires emotional intelligence. Every corporation has a different culture, every CFO has a different way they like to be engaged. Understanding that and adapting your approach is critical.”

She continues, “I treat my internal constituents as clients because to have influence, they need to know that I genuinely care. If they’re successful, I’m successful—it’s a shared goal. I also think about what motivates them and the value they gain from working with me. By understanding their perspective, I can inspire them to deliver their best work, which ultimately enables me to provide the best for my clients.”

The Power of Feedback and Continuous Development

A strong advocate for professional growth, Douklias has both given and received invaluable feedback throughout her career. One pivotal moment came when a manager observed that she was not asserting herself enough in high-level meetings.

“I was in meetings with senior leaders—managing directors, vice chairs, investment bankers—and sometimes, I held back when I had something to say. A manager suggested executive coaching, and I jumped at the opportunity. The feedback was eye-opening. My coach pointed out that sometimes I spoke too quickly and didn’t breathe enough, which caused my voice to trail off at key moments. Adjusting my delivery of remarks, based on that feedback, made an enormous difference.”

Her advice to those she mentors: “Seek out feedback and embrace it. People genuinely want to help you grow.”

For Douklias, feedback isn’t just about performance—it’s about growth and alignment. “When I offer feedback, I am engaging in an open conversation about what a person’s strengths are, and what their limits are. I find I can develop my team best by offering candid feedback with kindness, and by pushing them beyond their comfort zone.” She believes in addressing challenges in real time, asking direct but supportive questions like, I observed that you shied away from this difficult issue. Is there something we should talk about?

By fostering trust and maintaining transparency, Douklias helps people develop and find the right path forward. “If you form a good bond with your team, and they trust you, they open up—and that’s how you develop people,” she explains. It’s a philosophy that has shaped her leadership, leading to a track record she’s particularly proud of: “I’ve helped many people over my career get promoted to managing directors. Having a little hand in their career development is something that truly matters to me.”

Building and Leveraging Internal Networks

Although mentors and managers can be integral to career development, Douklias also believes in the power of internal networks. “Your network shouldn’t just be your manager or HR partner. You need those work friends—people you can bounce ideas off, vent to, or get an outside perspective from.”

In thinking about how to build that internal network, Douklias encourages professionals to embrace networking opportunities within their firms.

“If you work at headquarters, take advantage of the incredible speakers who come in—whether they’re leaders, military veterans, or CEOs. You go for the speaker and the content, but just as importantly, for the networking. Some of my closest professional relationships started at these events. I always encourage my team to engage, because building an internal network gives you insight into what’s happening across the organization and fosters relationships that go beyond simply being colleagues.”

Know What Sustains You

As a working mother, Douklias has been intentional about defining success on her own terms. “I’ve always worked hard and traveled when needed, but I’ve also made sure to be present for the important moments in my kids’ lives.”

To have a sustainable career, Douklias emphasizes not only prioritizing what is important, but also being clear about setting boundaries, allowing time to recharge.

“Know yourself and what you need to be successful. For some, it’s going for a walk in the middle of the day, or a workout in the morning. For me, I always make sure I have a vacation planned—it helps me stay motivated.”
Another part of Douklias’ life that fulfills her outside of work is watching her children play sports. “I didn’t grow up in a competitive sports environment, but seeing my kids in action has taught me so much about teamwork, resilience, and dedication. I truly treasure my weekends spent cheering them on.”

By Jessica Robaire

It’s fair to say that being subject to criticism is not an enjoyable experience even when it is given as feedback and in the spirit of professional development. The fears of embarrassment, shame, and rejection are real, and those emotions are also natural – it is the coping mechanism of defensiveness that is worth preventing – how? By recognizing it! Experiencing criticism at work can be especially difficult, as fear of losing your position amplifies an often angry or defensive reaction. However, you can control your responses to workplace criticism and reframe the experience to your advantage. Let’s examine how you can supercharge your career by learning from criticism.

Understanding Constructive Criticism

Constructive criticism is a process by which you receive valid opinions on your work, including positive and negative comments. This type of criticism aims to improve your performance or productivity on the job.

You may experience constructive criticism in meetings with higher management. It can also occur more organically when, for example, a colleague suggests improvements to your work on a project. Ultimately, constructive criticism always aims to provide feedback that helps you learn where to improve your career.

Differentiating Feedback from Bias

There are clear differences between constructive feedback and destructive criticism informed by implicit bias. Identifying these two separate forms of criticism can help you know how to accept critical comments in the workplace.

Constructive Feedback

Managers or peers offering suggestions on strengthening your professional skills are offering constructive feedback. This type of criticism focuses on building up an employee rather than tearing them down. Feedback balances both recognition of your accomplishments and suggestions for improving future projects.

Identifying Implicit Bias

Implicit bias, also called unconscious bias, is a human condition still present in workplaces today. It exists in the form of gender, racial, age, similarity, and confirmation biases, among others. Criticism rooted in bias is not meant to be productive but reflects the individual’s prejudices or biases.

Processing Criticism Positively

While criticism is hard for anyone to take, you can change how you respond and handle it so it reflects better on you and improves your work performance.

Don’t take it personally: People often view their jobs as an extension of themselves. When their job performance is criticized, they consider that comment a criticism of who they are. One of the best ways to take feedback is to give yourself an emotional buffer. Remember that mistakes are not a reflection of your worth or character. You can also be proactive and ask for feedback ahead of time, and have a good understanding of your strengths and weaknesses as a professional, to build up your self-knowledge and confidence.
Train yourself to listen: Focus on listening carefully and processing the criticism using active listening skills. Don’t use the time that the person is speaking to prepare your response mentally. Listen without interrupting, and ask clarifying questions afterward. Take notes so you can remember everything accurately later.
Avoid excuses and seek clarification: Avoid making excuses in response to work criticism, as that never appears professional. It can also make a conversation confrontational. Instead, stay calm and acknowledge the criticism while respecting the person. Reflect on the criticism and respond to the person with a plan of action and your thoughts. Always seek clarification so you know exactly what you need to change or improve. Asking questions will also demonstrate your willingness to learn from the experience.
Show appreciation: As tricky as it may be, acknowledge the person’s delivery and honesty, especially if it was constructive and delivered gently.
Practice self-awareness: You may feel genuinely hurt by the criticism, so give yourself time to process and move past it. Consider why the criticism is painful, as understanding is essential to moving forward.

If you fear becoming emotional while receiving criticism, practice some techniques to maintain your composure. Box breathing, or 4×4 breathing, is one of the most effective ways to promote relaxation during or immediately after a stressful experience. Taking a short break or a brief walk outside can also give you the space to process criticism positively.

Learning from Criticism

Constructive criticism offers you the chance to learn from your mistakes. Some steps you can take to learn from criticism include:

Keeping a feedback journal
Working with a coach or mentor – theglasshammer.com offers executive coaching, especially for senior managers on the path to leadership.
Assessing how you react to criticism and how it affects your self-confidence, especially if you are a people-pleaser.

The best way to learn from criticism is to turn that criticism into actionable goals. Identify critical areas for improvement and create a timeline with your manager for reassessment.

Leveraging Criticism for Career Growth

Once you’ve learned how to handle criticism positively, how can you use it to propel your career forward? As tough as it is to receive criticism, not receiving it can harm your career. Constructive criticism will become invaluable as you grow in your professional field, so you want to use it to your advantage when it occurs.

Being able to accept criticism at work shows maturity. Open-mindedly receiving constructive criticism gives your employer a positive impression, and they are more likely to offer you helpful suggestions. Listening carefully to criticism will also help you build stronger relationships with colleagues.

Additionally, people who learn from their mistakes are usually more successful than those who refuse to reflect on their actions and decisions. Learning to take constructive criticism is a vital skill that is essential to professional growth.

Taking constructive feedback seriously lets you identify your weaknesses while improving your skills and earning the respect of your colleagues. Use that feedback wisely, accept it professionally and gracefully, and you will supercharge your career.

By: Indiana Lee is a passionate writer from the Pacific Northwest, specializing in business operations, leadership, and marketing. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

(Guest Contribution: The opinions and views of guest contributions are not necessarily those of theglasshammer.com).

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Alex Douklias: Vice Chair, Corporate Banking, Wells Fargo Corporate & Investment Banking