Did you know that
your ability to handle criticism could impact on your work performance? People
who take criticism personally report the least job satisfaction and are
likelier to quit their projects or their job altogether.
At the same time, a person’s ability to
positively receive criticism is closely linked with their level of self-esteem.
The tiniest shrapnel of disapproval will further deflate a low self-esteem.
Admittedly, listening to someone point
out a mistake or a shortcoming is never easy for anyone. In fact, even if you
know the criticism is valid, your first reaction would likely be defensiveness.
But, there are inherent benefits latent
within that critical appraisal you receive from your boss, that reproach from a
colleague or a complaint about your services from a customer.
Here are some steps to deal with
criticism while keeping yourself esteem intact:
Is it
worth fighting for?
To avoid losing sleep over each
incident of disapproval, it is wise to assess the nature of criticism you
receive and from whom.
Some people may criticize you for no
valid reason in an effort to anger you or undermine your efforts.
The simplest way to deal with such
criticism is to not pay attention to it; after all, if it is not beneficial to
you, there is no need to invest so much effort in it. Undoubtedly, you would
have to work hard to build your self-esteem to be able to understand negative
or unwarranted criticism for what it is.
Don’t
identify your self-worth with the subject of criticism
A major obstacle to dealing with
criticism is the personalization of disapproval. Most people do it—when someone
points out to a shortcoming or something that needs improvement, the first
instinct is to take it personal, or make it about your self-efficacy.
Constructive criticism, for example
from a boss, a mentor, a close advisor or a customer is often not meant to be
an attack on the person. Rather, it is them telling you that you need to
improve on certain things.
Therefore, just because a customer
criticizes your product does not mean that your entire business model has
failed or that you are incapable of operating a business. Instead of taking
customer criticism as an attack on your aptitude, take it as an opportunity to
start a discourse about how you can help them and see whether the product can
be improved.
Looking
for the grains of truth
Unless you determine that someone is
criticizing you out of ill intention, a large percentage of the criticism you
receive will have some sort of truth, if you were to be honest with yourself.
If you are in a workplace situation,
listening objectively to your boss or colleagues’ criticism can help you unveil
something about yourself or your work that needs improvement.
So, instead of becoming defensive,
keenly go through important points that need to be improved, come to an
agreement or set up an action plan and get down to implementing the required
changes.
This process works in all sorts of
situations from dealing with customers to alleviating relationship conflicts.
Looking for the truth in what the other
person is saying will go a long way in helping you not to make the same
mistakes again. It also creates peaceful interactions in the workplace,
business and personal life.
Accepting
your limitations
Perfectionists and high-achievers have
a hard time accepting the slightest criticism. It’s not that they are
narcissistic; it’s just that they have extremely high benchmarks for
achievement
These personality types invariably
expect approval due to the seemingly great deal of input they expend into their
work. As such, they can blow up even in the face of constructive criticism.
Knowing and accepting your limitations
is extremely valuable in fending off the sting that comes with any type of
disapproval. If you are not too great at marketing, accept that and either
allow someone else to do it or go on with it but anticipate potential
criticism.
Constructive
Critisism
The best way to minimize criticism is
not to avoid challenges altogether. A better way is to do what you are good at
so well that you leave no space for criticism. Even then, when you are asked to
improve, taking the time to listen objectively and to find the traces of truth
can help to diffuse conflict in business, at the workplace or in your personal
relationships.
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