Tina is at her desk on Monday morning. Her manager stops by and says,

"I reviewed the project proposal you submitted last week. I appreciate the work you put into it. Can we meet in the afternoon to discuss this in detail?"

Tina cringes! Negative thoughts and voices cross her mind. She starts thinking about defending herself.

A woman looking stressed

How can Tina prepare herself for criticism from her boss?

Constructive Criticism Vs Destructive Criticism

Not all criticism is constructive and helpful. Let's take a look at the differences below.

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Constructive Criticism

  • Intends to educate

  • Makes the outcome better

  • Is helpful

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Destructive Criticism

  • Intends to embarrass

  • Feels like a personal attack

  • Makes the person feel worse

We all know there is value in constructive criticism. Otherwise, how else would we identify weaknesses and areas of improvement?

In Tina's case, she could use the six tips below to overcome her fear and accept constructive criticism with the right attitude and mindset.

Six Tips On How To Accept Constructive Criticism

Watch the video 👇 to explore the details.

💡 Tip 1: Walk Past the Initial Reaction

It is easy to become offended, defensive or angry when listening to criticism. Remember to walk past this reaction quickly so that you can take criticism objectively.

💡 Tip 2: Don't Take It Personally

Constructive criticisms are just someone else’s observation of your work and skills in a professional setting, not criticizing you as a person.

💡 Tip 3: Listen for Understanding

Allow the person to share his or her complete thoughts without interruption. When he or she is done, repeat back what you heard.

💡 Tip 4: Say Thank You

Expressing appreciation shows the person you truly appreciate his or her input.

💡 Tip 5: Ask Questions About How You Can Improve

Be sure to ask the person to clarify how you can do better in the future.

💡 Tip 6: Request Time to Follow Up

Schedule a time where you can present him or her with a revised edition.

Which Employee Will Most Likely Improve?

You are a customer service manager and you did a performance review with your team members. When providing constructive criticism to your team members, each of them responded differently.

Which employee will most likely improve and do a better job in the future?

Flaticon Icon Joe

"Well, I responded to the customer this way because he was yelling at me. I think I have shown enough mercy and patience to him. I will try harder next time."

Flaticon Icon Amy

"Thank you for your comment. How can I improve my response when dealing with upset customers? I would like to do a mock call with you this week."

Flaticon Icon Tiffany

"Yes, you are right. My tone was terrible! I did not help the customers to my best ability. I am probably not the right fit for the job."

Flaticon Icon Henry

"Thank you for your comment. I have been doing this job for 10 years and I think I know the best way to handle upset customers."

Quiz

Which employee will most likely improve and do a better job in the future?

Take Action

Responding well to criticism toughens character, increases influence, and strengthens connections.

Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash

If someone offers to give you constructive criticism, how would you approach it?

A smiley face saying,

“Dedicate yourself to continuous improvement - you are your most precious resource.” - Brian Tracy

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