How To Take Constructive Criticism Like A Pro

Want to learn how to take constructive criticism? It's not always easy, we know. Here are our best tips to be better at work.

Learning how to take constructive criticism better is something many of us could work on. Being told there is something you need to change is hard, especially when you worked so hard at something and have a connection to it. It can be difficult to step back to see your mistakes and change what needs to be changed. However, constructive criticism is meant to help you grow, so having the ability and skills to accept it is important when you become a professional in any field.

1. Do Not Become Defensive

This is the first step in how to take constructive criticism. Avoid your desire to be defensive at first. Listen to what the other person has to say as to their reasoning. They may have a point or you may have truly missed something that is crucial to the project or is essential to the image of the company. Nobody’s perfect, and while it can be difficult to be called out for imperfections, but it is absolutely necessary. Take a deep breath and hear the person out.

2. Take the Criticism With a Grain of Salt

While some changes may make sense, others may not. As long as you can justify why you kept something the way it is, keep it. But do not disregard what was said. Be sure you can defend your choice to keep something as-is in the terms of the criticism. However, if you truly made a mistake and you need to change something, be sure you do. Be honest with yourself in these regards, but hold all comments of clarification until later. This is crucial in how to handle criticism, listen first.

3. Keep the Benefits of Constructive Criticism in Mind

Yes! It can be helpful. While it may be painful to hear, constructive criticism is actually meant to be beneficial. It is meant to improve your work for the better. Constructive criticism can help you be your best self and may lead to more opportunities. Instead of getting upset, allow the criticism to make you a better employee by applying it to similar projects in the future. While it may feel like it, criticism is not the end of your employment or career.

4. Do Not Take Your Emotions Out on the Messenger

While it may be tempting to feel harshly towards someone who is criticising you, it is important to recognize that the person is making the comments is actually helping you grow. The comments are actually helping you improve. Separate the criticism from the person making it and do not hold grudges since this will only make your work environment dreadful. Burning bridges can be detrimental to your future, especially if the person is a manager.

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5. Thank the Person For Their Input

Be sure to offer your gratitude for the person’s input. If something hurt you in any way, this will definitely be the hardest part of being a recipient of the criticism and is likely not one of your first reactions to receiving criticism. However, it is important to keep in mind that the person giving you the constructive criticism is really taking time to help you grow in the company and in your career. The criticism may help you advance in your career, especially if you continue to show steady improvement. Learning how to take constructive criticism is a skill, and if you learn not to take things to heart and instead improve- you will go far.

6. Ask Questions and Request a Follow-Up

Ask questions about anything you need clarification on. Avoid questions that are geared towards debate or being defensive in order to keep things civil and to keep things open. If need be, ask them for a time to follow up if you need an opportunity to look at your work. The follow-up time may be a chance to explain something that you feel you did correctly, but do so respectfully. Having a chance to calm down allows you to think objectively and reassess your work.