Coping with Criticism

UNDERSTAND THAT

None of us are perfect.
Feedback is critical to improvement, learning and growth.
There are two types of useful feedback: Positive feedback notes that which is working, and negative feedback notes that which is not working.
There is also non-useful feedback - which can generally be safely ignored.

NEXT TIME SOMEONE GIVES YOU FEEDBACK

Control any automatic reactions on your part – allow them to finish speaking.
Invite them to elaborate further, and ask them to clarify anything that is unclear.
Reflect on the questions below (see ‘REFLECT ON’) before ultimately replying.
Thank them for their honesty, and for having taken the trouble & risk to share this feedback with you.

REFLECT ON

…whether their intent was to be helpful or harmful.
...what exactly they wanted to communicate to you.
…which of the information offered was valid or correct, and which was not.
...how certain you are that you are correct (in your answers to the above three questions).
... - if their intent was to harm you - why they might have felt the need to do so.
...how you will use the useful feedback.
...whether there is any kind of response you should be giving.
...what the most appropriate & effective manner would be for giving such a response.

IMPORTANT

Ignore non-useful feedback.
Criticism is in the eye of the receiver.
Aristotle: "Criticism is something you can easily avoid by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing."

SEE ALSO

Coping with not getting a Fair Chance

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