So, you just finished a job project that you considered to be great and now your boss is making a list of all the things to improve? Don't be discouraged - constructive criticism is a key part of any job. With this guide, you can learn to accept criticism and do your job better.
Steps
Step 1. Accept that you are not perfect
If at the beginning of each job you think that nothing will go wrong, you are fooling yourself, because you will make mistakes. The important thing is to learn from them.
Step 2. Double check your work
After you're done, and before sending it to your boss, make sure you've checked everything. This will help you avoid silly mistakes and not waste your boss time on subtleties.
Step 3. Don't take it personally
If your coworkers have criticisms about you, remember that it doesn't necessarily mean they don't like you, or that you're not good enough for the job. Maybe they too are just trying to do the job as best they can.
Step 4. Listen carefully
By ignoring critical comments, you will be bound to repeat the same mistakes. Take note and try to find a solution to fix the problem. This step is the most difficult, as you may need to kick your pride and admit you were wrong.
Step 5. Ask yourself what you have learned from this criticism
If you feel anger building up in you, repeat the question "What can I learn?"
Step 6. Agree partially with the criticism
In the presence of a criticism, most people focus on the negative part that may not be true, ignoring the rest. This attitude does not solve any problems and you will not learn anything. When you agree with some of the criticism, open up to learning. You won't have to agree with everything; a small part of agreement with respect to criticism will be enough to create an atmosphere conducive to teamwork. Now you can focus on working together to solve the problem, decreasing the feeling of being under attack.
Step 7. Analyze and evaluate what you have heard
To evaluate the information, you will need to determine its validity and decide what to do: what to do to fix the problem or correct the error. If it wasn't the first time you've received it, you should think about it a little to prevent the situation from repeating itself.
Step 8. Don't hold the snout
Taking it for criticism can affect your future work. Forget about mistakes and focus on doing the best possible job next time.
Step 9. Remember, everything happens for a reason
If a colleague of yours hasn't particularly bonded with you, or if your boss has just named employee of the month a nerd, you'll need to see that as a good thing, as much better things are waiting for you. Work commitment or skill never goes without recognition.
Step 10. Clarify yourself
If you are angry with a colleague who has criticized you, let them know as soon as possible, avoiding the continuing bad moods among you. Explain the reasons for your disappointment and suggest ways to resolve the dispute and strengthen the relationship.
Step 11. Accept that others can see something you miss
Even if you disagree with the criticism, others may have noticed something you haven't even seen. If they claim you're negative and you don't think you're negative, well… maybe you are but you can't accept it. Accept the possibility that others may be right and look within yourself.
Step 12. Be happy even in the face of criticism and don't be discouraged
Advice
- Always remember that it is your job that is being criticized and not you. For example, if your colleague is criticizing a letter you write, pretend you never wrote it. Say someone else wrote it, and pretend your colleague is just asking you to see it again.
- Often your colleagues find mistakes to make their work stand out. It might be a good trick to leave an obvious and easy-to-spot mistake; your boss and your colleagues will find it and point it out (feeling they have contributed). Once they find it, their urge to find errors will be less and you may pass things through that otherwise would have been noticed.
- Whatever you do make sure it's the best thing for you. People who are unwilling to accept criticism are less likely to be successful in their professions.
- If the opportunity presents itself, discuss the criticism with a trusted person who can give you an objective opinion; in this way, you will be able to have a third evaluation of the reasonableness of the criticism.
- Always allow some time to pass before answering - it can save you a lot of trouble later.
- Remember, your co-worker isn't criticizing you for simple personal pleasure, they're doing it to improve the quality of your work.
Warnings
- If you feel a written criticism is unwarranted, respond using the same medium, highlighting where you disagree. Written responses are usually retainable, so if you did not respond by the same medium, only one point of view will be considered.
- If you feel that you have been wrongfully put in the middle, make a meeting journal and copy all relevant documents.
- Don't try to do yourself justice, especially with your manager; he has the authority (often reinforced by his boss) to exercise his authority to your disadvantage.
