How do you respond to criticism?
I’ve wondered about this question a lot these last couple of months. How do I, how do you, respond to criticism? It is important to note that I am referring to constructive criticism. During the last year alone, I noticed many people can’t handle workplace criticism or conflicts with colleagues. Ok, let’s be honest for a second. It’s not easy, at first, to receive criticism. The trick is to respond to it maturely. I remember the first time I received a batch of good old critiques. I was in my 20s and just started my career. It took a lot to not run for the hills, lock myself up in the employee bathroom and have a good cry (believe me, I did that when I drove home). Yes, I took it personally, and I wanted nothing more to do with the Manager who critiqued me (if that was so easy to avoid!). When I was younger, I did not realise that constructive criticism could greatly benefit me, especially if the person critiquing you sees your potential and wishes to build you up and not tear you down. I thought I was beyond critique, did not deserve it, and could not possibly learn something from it. That is where I was wrong. We must learn to handle constructive criticism with maturity, professionalism and humility. We must understand that we can learn from it and use it to thrive and succeed. You might ask, “How do I respond without starting to get defensive or even angry?” Well, it’s very easy. Bite your tongue. It’s only human to want and defend yourself. Don’t. Listen to what is said. Take notes to refer back to it when you feel calmer. It’s not personal. It really isn’t. Remember. You are part of a team, and a good Manager wants what is best for the team and each team member. You might not be a good fit for the team if you respond negatively or throw a tantrum like a 5-year-old. Ask questions. It might be that you didn’t even realise that you had a flaw, that you did something wrong or that you didn’t understand a task or project. Ask questions to ensure you understand and will not repeat the same mistake. Be humble. It’s no time to come to your own defence. None of us are perfect. Not even you. Recognise your flaws and move on. Action speaks louder than words. It isn’t enough to just acknowledge your weaknesses. It would help if you showed a willingness to learn and improve yourself. Take the time to think about how you will handle criticism in future. Someone may even learn from you and how you responded. This article was written en published by Liesel Cloete. The Award-Winning CV Writer Behind SA CV Writing Studio With an extensive HR/Payroll background, I transitioned from the corporate world and founded SA CV Writing in 2014 to empower professionals in their career journeys. My clients report back on securing interviews with local and international firms.
