Receive Criticism Successfully

To receive criticism effectively, try these techniques:

- - Put your shields up. Immediately picture a protective shield surrounding you before you react. This buys you a few seconds to examine your critic’s intentions. Should you explore the criticism further as a possible way to grow professionally? Or should you dismiss it as only a hurtful message?
  - Act like a coffee filter. If you explore the criticism further, you need to strain out the emotional grounds — the critic’s fear or anger — from the facts.
  - This allows you to respond only to useful information and not the critic’s emotions.
  - Pretend you’re Sherlock Holmes. Don’t rest until you get all the pieces of the criticism mystery. Ask for specifics. Example: “When you said the report was incomplete, exactly what did you mean?”
  - Say “You’re right.” It’s a lot easier to say than “I’m wrong.” And these few words pour water on the potential blaze of a heated discussion.

Source: Mel Ann Coley, Coley Training and Development, Garland, TX

574.361.2674

Sustainable Growth & Profit Consultant, Coach, Mentor, and Counselor/Therapist for Business Owners and Professionals.