Our Highpoint chaplains recently shared some advice on receiving criticism in the workplace. Read about it below:
Do you like being on the receiving end of criticism? Probably not. But did you know that criticism is necessary for a healthy workplace? A study by the Harvard Business Review “found that constructive criticism may be the best way to get attention of someone who has become unproductive or complacent.”
In an article entitled Steps to Handle Criticism at Work (March 10, 2023 by the Indeed Editorial Team), we are informed that accepting criticism at work can be an important step toward increasing your efficiency and professional success. I’m pretty confident that most of us do not want to be unproductive and complacent. I imagine most of us would like to increase our efficiency and succeed professionally. Constructive criticism is meant to improve productivity or performance of the individual. Negative criticism is meant to ridicule and tear down. We are reflecting on the value of constructive criticism here.
How should we handle criticism at work?
- Control your reaction. Demonstrate maturity and professionalism when you receive criticism. Watch your facial expressions and your body language. They are just as important as the words you say. Most people consider the nonverbal to be more truthful than the verbal responses.
- Show appreciation. Though this might be difficult. Thank the person for his or her honesty. Remember, giving criticism is often uncomfortable for the person delivering it as the one receiving it.
- Show humility. Even if it hurts, there is probably some truth in most criticism. Don’t discount it because your feelings are hurt. If you respond humbly, you might experience a valuable learning opportunity.
- Do not dwell on the criticism. Don’t replay the conversation over and over in your mind. This will only distract you from what you could learn. Learn and move on.
- Try not to take it personally. Most of us see our jobs as an extension of ourselves. Try to separate yourself as a person from your duties. Criticism is aimed at your work, not you.
- Process the criticism. Try not to make excuses and be defensive. Try to express how you might improve and follow through and make the changes necessary. Show others you are mature and self aware enough to handle this criticism.
- Give yourself some grace. Everyone makes mistakes. No one knows everything. No matter how good you are at your job and how much experience you have, there is always more to learn. Criticism is a way to help you identify those areas and move forward.
