How to Deal Effectively with Criticism at Work

We have all felt the sting of un-warranted, negative, un-deserving and sometimes downright hurtful criticism in our personal and professional life. Even so we have come to understand that criticism in the workplace can actually foster professional and personal growth if handled effectively. Below are some tips on how to cultivate a positive mindset and effectively respond to feedback from supervisors and colleagues.

Embrace Criticism Positively

Stay Calm - Controlling your emotions and maintaining a calm and confident demeanour can help you to better absorb criticism and will enable you to listen attentively. Take deep breaths and keep an open body language.

Accentuate the positives - When faced with criticism, remind yourself of your strengths and the things you excel at. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance can provide support from loved ones or spiritual practices to manage workplace stress.

Stay open-minded - Your colleagues may offer valuable insights for improvement. Respect their perspectives, be open to new ideas, and consider alternative approaches. You might discover ways to make your job easier.

Find humour in situations - Even in the face of unjustified comments, try to find the humour in them. Respond tactfully to criticism, even if it seems unfounded.

Show compassion - Recognise that your supervisor's harsh feedback could be a result of their own stress or challenges. Extend understanding, especially if they are dealing with personal or work-related pressures.

How to Respond Feedback From Supervisors and Colleagues

Seek feedback - Proactively ask for feedback rather than waiting for annual reviews. This will provide timely guidance and showcase your proactive approach.

Ask questions - Demonstrate active listening by asking relevant questions to clarify feedback and address any uncertainties.

Listen attentively - Allow the other person to express their feedback without interruptions. Focus on understanding their perspective before formulating a response.

Self-assess regularly - Evaluate your own work consistently to better reflect on feedback received from colleagues.

Focus on the message - Differentiate between the content of the feedback and its delivery. Even if the manner of communication is lacking, there may still be valuable insights to consider.

Seek a second opinion - Gathering input from other colleagues can provide objective perspectives on feedback received. This can help you gauge if your experiences are common or if specific actions are needed.

Provide evidence - In ongoing disagreements, support your viewpoints with industry data or internal documents. Contributing to informed discussions will help in resolving conflicts constructively.

Be gracious - Lead by example by offering feedback constructively and focusing on behaviours rather than personalities. Encouraging positive communication will enhance office morale and cooperation.

Arrange a follow-up - Express gratitude for feedback received and share how it has contributed to your improvement. This also allows for a chance to leave a positive impression.

Utilise workplace criticism to enhance your performance and progress in your career by learning to leverage feedback for personal development.

By|womenwhoslay @womenwhoslay