How to Take Constructive Criticism Like a Boss

How to Take Constructive Criticism Like a Boss via pexels.com 1. Breathe. Your initial reaction might be anger, but if you just take a moment to breathe, you can set yourself up for success. Remember that the only reason youre receiving this feedback is because the people around you want you to be a better person than you currently are. If you dont have anything to work on about yourself, youd be totally bored in life. 2. Practice Active Listening As youre taking a moment to settle your reaction without completely blowing up with anger and frustration, practice your active listening skills. Pay close attention to what theyre saying to you while truly interpreting what theyre saying. If you dont understand what theyre trying to communicate,  ask.  Asking for examples isnt wrong, and, in fact, might help both of you determine the specific times in which you acted the way you did. 3. Use this opportunity for a discussion. Instead of allowing a co-worker or superior to talk  at  you, take the opportunity to morph the conversation into just that:  a conversation.  When asking for examples, it might be useful to also ask how they would prefer you handle the situation in the future. Is there a better way you could have reacted? Are they suggesting you take a different course of action? Instead of being afraid and wanting to get out as quick as you can (which, trust me, everyone does!), use this as an opportunity to not only learn about yourself, but learn how to interact with your coworkers in a way that everyone appreciates. 4. Show appreciation. Although you might be absolutely  burning  inside, show your appreciation for their feedback. They obviously care about you enough to say something theyre only trying to make you better. No matter how the feedback makes you feel, always always always show your appreciation. And maybe, just maybe, welcome future feedback as well. 5. Share your progress. Once youve taken the constructive criticism and worked toward improving yourself, share your progress with your colleague. Theyll be more than happy to give you a pat on the back. And, again, showing youre appreciative of their feedback and suggestions will make them feel like you truly value what they have to say. 6. Be a feedback mirror. Dont be afraid to offer constructive criticism to those around you when you feel comfortable sharing. Sometimes its intimidating to approach someone about their behaviors or actions; especially if theyre a seasoned employee. When a new person joins the team, its best to avoid letting them slip into habits that arent productive for the team. Offering constructive criticism in this situation is a good opportunity to make your team stronger. 7. Turn the feedback into personal goals. Once youve received constructive criticism from your fellow employees, try to take what they said, pick out whats useful, and turn their feedback into goals for yourself. For example, if your supervisor or co-worker suggests a way for you to be a more efficient worker, give yourself a time limit for certain projects. 8. Look for concrete solutions to the problem. After suggesting you do better at X, ask for a solution that would work for everyone. The person offering the criticism should have some idea about how to fix the issue. Allow them to offer their own suggestions. Ultimately, you can decide how you want to address/fix the problem, but taking suggestions gives everyone a sense of value and worth. 9. Avoid becoming defensive. As soon as you become defensive, you allow the opportunity for growth in the workplace to disappear. The person approaching you with suggestions doesnt mean to personally attack you thats not what this is. 10. Make sure you understand. The last thing you want to happen is for you to misunderstand the criticism thats being given to you. Ask questions to ensure you know exactly what theyre referencing. Ask for examples and dont let the conversation end until you know exactly what your game plan is going to be. Constructive criticism is a good way for personal growth to occur. Learning how to take it like a boss will improve your self-confidence and your self-worth. Youll be a better coworker and a more efficient employee.