We have all heard criticisms that do not always seem to be productive throughout our lives. Although we hear some criticisms are unpleasant, we cannot control them. In these circumstances, we must master our reaction and the information we need to receive. Criticism provides us with an opportunity to think about our past actions, evaluate the results, and improve our future approach.
In this article, we explain why acceptance of criticism can help you achieve professional success and the steps you can take to accept criticism.
How can accept criticism lead to success?
Even when criticism is productive, it can be difficult to hear. However, accepting criticism will have the following benefits:
- It shows you that managers and colleagues care about the quality of your work.
- It helps you maintain or strengthen your professional relationships.
- It reduces the risk of error and increases your performance.
- It enables you to quickly and effectively improve or learn new skills.
We have to say that criticism is a kind of feedback and provides a space for evaluating past performance, highlighting areas of improvement and identifying potential solutions. All of these are critical steps in the path of success.
How to accept criticism?
While hearing criticism and feedback from others can be difficult, there are ways to help you accept criticism. The following steps will help you respond better until you receive feedback from your managers, coaches and colleagues.
1. Pause a little before any reaction
When you are criticized, the first thing to do is pause a little. Pause for a short moment can help you process what you are told and prevent any sudden reaction or defensive state. It also gives you the opportunity to stay calm and be aware of your moods.
2. Have an open mind.
Remember, the person who criticizes wants to help you upgrade. It is best to try to have the mind of the game while they are talking to hear their true message and make every effort to see the situation from another person’s point of view. This can help you identify their concerns.
You should also try to remember that productive and accurate feedback can be from anyone on any level. This is an important point that you should remember when receiving constructive criticism from a colleague or even someone who work under your supervision or other people.
1. To listen to understand
Listen to the criticism closely without interrupting them and repeating what you have said when it’s over. This assures them that you have understood or gives them the opportunity to take care of any misunderstanding. Sometimes when people criticize, they are nervous and may not fully mean and say briefly.
1. Express the appreciation
Once you have fully understood that you have fully understood the feedback given to you, the next step you need to take is to say “Thank you”. Your goal here is to confirm the other person’s attempt to evaluate your performance, identify solutions, and share their thoughts. Saying that you are grateful does not necessarily mean that you must agree with evaluation.
1. Ask the question
The next step is to ask questions to better understand the problem and, if necessary, to find solutions to improve the weaknesses or fix the problem. Depending on the circumstances, you can ask your colleague to give examples of what he has put forward, whether this is a case or a repeat problem, and even seek his opinion on possible solutions to better manage this situation in the future.
1. Complete the problem or plan for the next follow -up.
After finding the solution and identifying the actions you will do in the different future, you can thank the other person for his attention and feedback. But if the issue is wider or your manager has raised it, suggest that you re -meet a week or two to evaluate your performance and examine the progress.
If you haven’t yet found a solution and need more time to process the critical processing that your manager has provided, you can ask for further discussions and questions at another time. In that case, simply tell him that you are appreciating his attention and you would like to take a little time to summarize your thoughts and provide a proper answer. This will give you the opportunity to calm your mind and process your reaction more accurately.
Tips to accept criticism in the workplace
Here are some other suggestions on how to accept criticism in the workplace that will help you deal with criticism and feedback:
Change your thinking about criticism
The best professional growth opportunities often appear in feedback. When we see criticism as merely a way to get feedback, it is easier to cross emotional reactions and we can consider it an opportunity to develop our professional development.
Don’t let criticism find a personal aspect
In most cases, the person who offers a critique does not intend to attack your personality, but only gives feedback on a specific action or task. If criticism is worrying for you, set a time to follow it through in -person visits, phone calls or even email. Be polite and explicit in the conversation, see feedback as an opportunity to grow and look at it with an open mind.
Compare facts with claims
Even when you receive a constructive criticism, this does not mean that the other party’s words are necessarily accurate. After hearing the comments, assign the time to review the information provided. You can consult with people who work closely with you to see if there are common patterns to confirm or reject the claims. Have an impartial and logical analysis for yourself by comparing the facts and statements.
Distract your senses.
Sometimes it is difficult to accept criticism or impartial view of criticism and feedback, especially when your feelings overcome you. If that happens, decide to return to criticism at another time and with a calmer mind. In the meantime, entertain yourself by doing what you love and improves (for example, or talk to a friend who can laugh at you).
Acceptance of Criticism a Way to Progress
Criticism can be constructive or destructive. This depends on your view of the feedback of others. If you can listen to their criticism and feedback without judgment and prejudice and think about them a little, you can understand your flaws. This helps you to improve your work and behavioral and experience a better position.
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