Everyone has received constructive criticism at some point in their lives. Nobody’s perfect. While we are aware of that, it still has an effect on how we feel about ourselves. What if we told you that receiving constructive criticism is just as important as compliments? We all aspire to improve, right? And what better way to improve other than being told what’s imperfect and what we could improve on?
Just like you, I too have trouble dealing with constructive criticism but I believe I’m getting better at dealing with it. Here’s what I do :
Try Not To Take It Personally
First of all, realize that the individual giving you constructive criticism is not trying to make you feel horrible about yourself. Instead, they acknowledge your talents and are supplying you with the means to identify and eliminate your flaws. It's up to you to interpret that criticism positively and use it to spur more effort and growth.
Some people have the propensity to take constructive criticism poorly. They could make an effort to defend themselves or make the debate more heated. It is best to maintain your composure and pay close attention to what the other person is saying. The secret is to be open to other people's suggestions.
Be Open Minded
Maintaining an open mind helps you to fully engage in the process. After the person providing the criticism has completed speaking, you may reflect on what they said and start to evaluate yourself. Make sure you convey your gratitude for their input and that you are genuine. Expressing thanks does not imply that you agree with the judgment, but it does demonstrate that you recognize the evaluation and value their opinions.
Connect The Feedback To Your Position Rather Than Yourself
We feel personally attacked by criticism because we believe others are judging us. Constructive criticism, however, is often focused on your job in a professional context. Good criticism may help you get better at your career and is frequently not as personal as it seems.
Strive For A Solution
It is now time to consider constructive feedback. This is an excellent opportunity to explain any misconceptions and to express your point of view. Ask questions that will help you understand what the problem is and what you can do to resolve it in the future. Given that nothing was taken personally, you can concentrate on comprehending the comments and devising a solution. You can maintain a professional and fruitful discourse by speaking from a calm frame of mind.
Schedule For A Follow-Up
Making a follow-up discussion plan will show your manager that you paid attention and are committed to enhancing your performance. Create a plan of action to strategically address the problem and present it at this meeting. This is an excellent chance to strengthen your relationship with your management and make them feel like a partner in the endeavor. If there were any parts of the feedback you disagreed with, it's a great place to put out a reasoned counterargument. They will be more likely to grasp your position if you present it to them without getting angry or defensive.
Most of all, remind yourself that constructive criticism can help you improve. Even if you weren't expecting them, try to remember that constructive criticisms are being delivered with your best interests in mind. Incorporating these steps has improved the way I react to constructive criticisms. Workplace criticism occasionally proves to be advantageous. Make use of it to aid in your development. Additionally, by doing this, I observe that my interactions with others around me and my superiors are getting better.