He Who Hates Correction Is Stupid

There are critical people in all walks of life, and there is room for healthy criticism everywhere. It’s the lifeblood of what makes you grow, improve, develop and hone your strengths and weaknesses. Without it, everyone would be breezing about on cloud nine under the false impression they were perfect; and we all know perfect’s something that nobody is. The truth is, you need a bit of critique now and again to bring you back down to earth.

But granted, criticism can be frustrating beyond belief. A few years ago, I was involved in a professional project for which I had shed blood, sweat, and tears to deliver. It was one of the few times in my life when I really felt I’d gone over and above what was required and wholly exceeded expectations. I took a seat at the follow-up meeting a week later, waiting to be praised and applauded, only to receive a barrage of criticism from all directions. I felt belittled, underappreciated and thoroughly undeserving of the holes colleagues were picking in my carefully crafted work, and made no bones about telling them so. It transpired, however, that I had misconstrued a fundamental aspect of the brief. My prematurely defensive reaction taught me a valuable lesson about the importance of a measured and dignified response in the face of criticism.

Rather than view criticism as your enemy, see it as a tool in your weaponry for self-improvement. With the growth of customer review websites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor, successful businesses have had no choice but to get used to taking criticism on board and using it as a learning experience. Platforms such as Amazon also provide an extremely useful forum for groups like ebook authors to keep tabs on negative reader reviews and use them as a focus for improvement. If these parties failed to see criticism for the opportunity it is, their competition would swiftly overtake them.

How to Respond to Criticism

Learn to separate helpful, constructive criticism from destructive criticism and you will already be halfway to grasping the useful purpose criticism can serve in life. Most criticism is well meaning and productive, if you look hard enough for the underlying message.

1. Learn from Critics

• Listen carefully to constructive criticism and take it on board. You’ll be far less likely to repeat the same mistakes in future.
• Don’t just nod and switch off during criticism. Take it seriously and use it as a motivator to do better next time.
• Understand that few people will criticize you for their own amusement.
• Avoid dwelling on criticism. Extract any lessons to be learned and move forward.

2. Don’t Shy Away from Criticism

• Remember that shielding yourself against criticism is never the answer.
• Actively seek and reflect on constructive criticism from people whose opinions you value.
• Focus on the actionable points and use them to your advantage.
• Sometimes criticism will be subtly delivered; learn to read between the lines where necessary.

3. Don’t Get Defensive

• Avoid taking criticism personally–this will only damage your self-esteem and blind you to the lessons you can learn from it.
• Don’t just assume critics are wrong because you don’t agree with them. They may see something you don’t and there may be an element of truth in their words, so avoid making excuses and stubbornly sticking to your viewpoint.
• Remember that pride comes before a fall. Don’t let your vanity get in the way of hearing the message.

4. Don’t Kill the Messenger

• Avoid automatically going on the attack when criticism comes your way, however little you agree with it.
• Accept that critics aren’t always right, and that sometimes they will be way off the mark. Responding to all criticism with grace and poise is vital if you want to avoid looking like a fool.
• Listen to the positive messages within criticism, not just the negatives. Encouragement is usually there to be found somewhere, even if buried deep within.
• Never hold a grudge against the messenger. Life is too short to waste harboring negative energy.
• Be grateful for criticism you receive and make an effort to understand where it’s coming from. Practicing Gratitude and Understanding will help you harness the Determination and Enthusiasm you need to channel criticism for positive effect. These four qualities are the determinants of a GudeJob!

Take Criticism on the Chin

It’s perfectly normal to feel a negative reaction to criticism–this is part of what makes you human. It also shows that you care about whatever it is that’s being criticized! When it comes to criticism, so much rides on its delivery. Understanding that people have different capacities for tact will help you adopt the right attitude and take it on the chin. Sometimes this involves developing a thicker skin, but this is part of maturing and progressing.