Inevitably it’s going to happen, and it’s not just going to be a part of your yearly review.
Yes, on a random Thursday morning in June or Tuesday afternoon in February, somebody whom you work with – maybe a boss or perhaps a colleague – is going to have negative feedback for you. While your first reaction may range from punching them in the face to running away and crying, none will suffice in a professional environment.
There are many ways to not only handle negative criticism, but to also honestly take it in and make it lead to better job performance and greater success moving forward.
Here are five tips to help you accept criticism a little smoother:
Seek Out Criticism – Nobody is perfect, and in a conversation where you seek out others’ opinions, you may find yourself being given ideas that might be better than your own. You can’t fix a problem you don’t know you have, and asking for people to share concerns puts you in the driver’s seat vs. passively hoping nobody will point out your shortfalls.
Be Grateful – Once you step back from the initial sting of a critique, look at it objectively. If you can divorce your emotion from the commentary, you’re able to see that the person was probably trying to help you instead of undermining you. Many people wouldn’t step up and give their unvarnished opinion. Feel lucky that someone has come along and is helping you improve. On the off chance, their critique is nasty; there’s no reason you have to accept it. Merely state your point and move on.
Follow the Critique – If you’re an interior designer and somebody suggests going with maroon instead of red, don’t listen to your internal voice which is probably telling you they were wrong. If you were an independent bystander and had to choose, you’d want to see both options. Train yourself to be like that bystander and give the critique a chance as it may be 100% valid.
Take a Deep Breath – Being told you’re wearing the wrong shoes with an outfit probably stings. Being told you just wasted the last six months of your life on a project is a deep, hurtful gash. Either way, before you figure out if there is any merit to the person’s criticism, take a step back and take a deep breath. Their critique may be completely off base, or it may be on-the-money, but you’re not going to be able to accurately assess the situation unless you’re in a headspace where you can objectively understand where they were coming from. Yes, lashing out often feels like the gut response, but things will go so much better if you can take a few moments to gather yourself before responding.
Show You’re Capable of Change – If the critique is coming from your boss, they probably want you to change something about the way you’re handling things. Please take this as an opportunity to display your capacity to adapt and show that you value their feedback and can integrate it without resentment. It’s going to impress the higher-ups that you are somebody who can take criticism and become better for it.
If you are looking for ways to better relate and lead and don’t want to go it alone, contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation at http://maricarmenpizarro.com/contact-mari-carmen/
