How to Deal With Personal Criticism
Handling personal criticism can be challenging, but it’s an inevitable part of life. Mastering the art of dealing with it constructively can foster personal growth, resilience, and improved communication. Here are five strategies to effectively navigate personal criticism:
Stay Calm
Your reaction to criticism often reflects your self-esteem. Individuals with robust self-esteem tend to listen first, particularly when the criticism seems unjust. Avoid becoming angry or defensive. Rather, maintain your composure, hold back your immediate responses, and attentively listen. Anger won’t resolve the situation; it tends to exacerbate it. When facing criticism, inhale deeply and ponder over the feedback.
Seek Further Information
Rather than outrightly dismissing or countering the criticism, request additional details. For instance:
i. “I don’t recall that. Could you please tell me your recollections of what happened?”
ii. “I remember mentioning something similar, but perhaps I didn’t express it clearly. What I intended was…”
iii. “It doesn’t sound like something I’d say or do. Could you provide more context?”
Partially Concede
At times, we inadvertently offend others. If accused of being unreliable, ask for concrete instances. If you’re told you failed to complete a report punctually, acknowledge the oversight and express regret.
For example:
“I intended to finish that report by yesterday, but it slipped my mind. I apologise. May I have it ready by 5:00 PM today?”
By partially conceding, you’re recognising some truth in the criticism, which can defuse potential arguments. People often express frustration with generalisations like “You always…” Admitting your errors and offering an apology can alleviate their frustration. In conclusion, responding with anger or defensiveness is counterproductive in facing criticism. Instead, seek more clarity and approach the feedback with an open mind and heart. It’s often challenging to accept, but criticism usually contains some element of truth. If it’s valid, endeavour to rectify the issue without making excuses.