TIP OF THE MONTH: How to handle criticism in the workplace

March 30, 2010 | Posted by Carolyn Pikoulas
No matter what industry you're in, we all face criticism in the workplace from time to time. Sometimes it can damage our egos, so we fail to really listen to constructive criticism and take it to heart. Good criticism is supposed to help you recognize your shortcomings, so that you can improve upon them.

When your boss says things like, "You're not getting the job done fast enough" or "You need better customer service skills," it can be rather disheartening. Often times you may feel attacked or that people aren't seeing things from your perspective. You can even become defensive and redirect the criticism onto the critic. But it's important to understand why criticism is a good thing:

• Challenges make you stronger.
  Criticism is really a challenge to make you better at your job. Rather than settle for your own standards, you are pushed to take your work to the next level. This can help you refine your skills and become even more competitive in your field.
• See yourself from another angle.
  When you've been doing something one way for a long time, it can be hard to change. Criticism gives you an outside perspective that can uncover potential areas for improvement which you may not have been able to see yourself.
• Enhance your communication skills.
  Responding to criticism can even help improve the way you communicate - an essential skill for any successful career. You'll learn how to ask the right questions and accept criticism in a more positive light.
• Learn some humility.
  Kayne West, for one, could really benefit from this tip. Although criticism can bruise the ego, it keeps you grounded, making you easier to work with and more open to learning from others.

With this newly found respect for criticism, you also need to know how to respond to it effectively. Here are three tips:

1. It's not personal. View criticism as a commentary on your actions, not a personal attack. Sure -- it's easier said than done, but if you can rise above the criticism and respond calmly and professionally, you will earn the admiration of your critic and feel better doing it.
2. Act on it. Don't just go back to business as usual; make an effort to improve. The great thing about criticism is that it uncovers our shortfalls that only others can see.
3. Don't get defensive. This is your chance to really examine yourself and your work. Instead of feeling hurt and miserable, look at it as a chance to prove your worth. Assess the criticism to discover the basis behind it.

Unfortunately, not all criticism is constructive. Some people are bitter or just plain negative and will take their frustration out on others. Some are also inexperienced or unqualified to give you valuable feedback. Being able to separate useful feedback from a Grumpy Gus and misinformation is important. How to tell the difference:

• Is it specific?
  Valuable feedback is always clear, logical and defined. If not, ask the critic for more specific feedback. If they are unable or unwilling, seek advice from a trusted and honest coworker.
• Is it physically possible?
  Constructive criticism should enable you to take immediate action. You should come away with a clearer idea of how to improve.
• Is it free from bias?
  Useful feedback is not a personal opinion. It should give you a unique perspective without an ulterior motive. Objective criticism should be even-tempered and appropriate.