All of us have been at this place. All of us have received feedback about us and our work, more often in way of criticism. While criticism can prove a gift too, it might also be difficult to deal with if not taken in the right manner. Here are a list of tips that will help you to deal with criticism.
- Be open to criticism- Being open to criticism at work is the first step towards utilizing it. Pay attention to what is being said and give yourself time to process it. Don't assume that the person giving you the criticism is out to get you. Instead, make the assumption that they are sincere and well-intentioned. Even if the criticism isn't diplomatic, it doesn't necessarily mean it's meant to be hurtful. To make sure you both understand, restate the criticism. This gives you extra time to think it through and make sure you comprehend it completely. Thank them for their input and acknowledge it.
- Ask clarifying questions- Make sure you know what the criticism entails. Ask for the reasons about their opinion, suggestions, and ways to improve. Criticism is a two-way conversation, and it is upto you to take control of the discussion. Asking questions will help you know the drawback and improve.
- Share the feedback- Find a mentor, a colleague, or an adviser, and talk to them about the feedback. This strategy is effective for getting a fresh viewpoint from a person whose judgment you value. If they believe the information is accurate, ask them. This is also a good time to make sure you're not being too hard on yourself. If you're sensitive to receiving criticism, you may want to determine why. Criticism at work can be a blessing in disguise.
- Assume that they are trying to help you- When you believe that those who are criticizing you are merely attempting to assist you and improve your job, criticism is simpler to accept. If you believe that people are criticising you in an effort to bring you down or make you feel bad, you will react negatively, which is not helpful to either you or them. Try to concentrate on the aspects of the criticism that you can take away and use to get better.
- Don't take it personally- One of the most frequent errors people make when responding to criticism is this. Yes, it can be painful at times, but the criticism is probably not meant to be personal. It's common practice for employees to receive constructive criticism at work in order to enhance their methods and come up with fresh approaches to problems. It's crucial to keep in mind that what they are saying is not about you, but rather your job because, as was indicated in the previous paragraph, getting emotionally involved will make it difficult for you to perceive the issue properly.
- Never be scared to challenge criticism- You can better grasp where your critic is coming from and identify the things you need to improve on by asking for clarification from them. Instead of leaving you with potentially ambiguous, confused information, it will push the other person to defend their critique. If you are able to talk openly about delicate topics, it will also be beneficial for sustaining a strong, professional connection.
- Act on the positive- Make a plan to work on the issues that the feedback highlighted. It's crucial to understand that the majority of critics are somewhat correct. Therefore, even if the feedback is unfavorable, make sure you have taken something away from it. These are self-improvement cheat sheets, so be sure to write them down and put them into practice.
- Speak your side of the story- Tell the critic your thoughts on the subject at hand. While keeping the peace with others is important, there are other options besides being overly accommodating to avoid disagreement at all costs. You can express your opinions with tact and at the right time. Therefore, speak up whenever you have the chance to be heard since even harsh things can be said in a caring way.
Handling criticism can never be enjoyable. However, you can make the best of it. You can not escape it, so why not mold it in your favor.
If you remain optimistic and follow these tips, you can easily deal with criticism and not let it affect you negatively. You will find the scope of growth in every corner.
