It doesn't matter if you think your life or business is perfect, if you have high self confidence or if you have just been awarded with the business woman of the year award. |  |
And even though criticism is inevitable in every aspect of your life, in the competitive business arena, some people will do anything to get ahead, even if that means throwing you under the bus to get there.
So, the next time you are being criticised, instead of feeling hurt, angry or overwhelmed, try using the following tips, to help you handle conflict with grace!
So, the next time you are being criticised, instead of feeling hurt, angry or overwhelmed, try using the following tips, to help you handle conflict with grace!
There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing and be nothing. [tweet this]
A 6 Step, Foolproof Process to Help you Handle Criticism with Grace
1. Think before you act – It is perfectly natural to be hurt by criticism, which usually leads to an instantaneous negative response. Before you hurl abuse at the critic or smack them in the middle of the head with a staple gun, take a moment to contemplate what was said before you issue a response.
2. Ask Away – Once you have allowed a cooler head to prevail, ask the person directing the criticism what they mean by the statement they just let fly. It may well be that they said it in a way that was not intended to be critical, but which simply came out all wrong {you never know, now, do you?}.
3. Talk it out – If the statement was intended as a direct form of criticism, it is then time to be the adult in the room and tackle it in a way that is productive. Place the staple gun back on the desk and ask the critic if they can make some time to discuss the issue further, in a calm way and in private. This will allow you both to see each other’s point of view and hash out any issues that need resolving.
4. Pay Attention – The hurtful words heard in the statement can stick in your head even as you are talking it out. You need to be able to let that go and actually take time to listen to what is being said. There are none of us who are perfect, which means the criticism being levered in your direction might just be valid {it’s possible, after all, isn’t it?}.
5. Learn from the experience – If it does turn out that you did something that was not particularly good {ahem}, you need to be thankful and try to learn from the experience. Let the person who was critical of you know that you appreciate them bringing it to their attention. Also let them know that you will do all you can to improve that behavior moving forward.
6. Focus on the positive – Learning that you are behaving in a way that others don’t necessarily care for, can be hurtful, but you have to remain positive. Look for ways to improve and understand that only good things can come out of making those changes. If it turns out that the person criticising you was doing so to be deliberately hurtful or to undermine you, go back and try to find that staple gun!
Every single one of those people who are killing it out there, the people you most admire and respect, for their work, their personal life, their dreams and goals, they all have been criticised in one form or another, by naysayers. What do you think they did?
I can tell you what they didn’t do.
They did not give up on their dreams, their goals or aspirations, they just handled criticism as best they could, learned a lesson, if there was one to be learned and moved on, eyes on the prize.
2. Ask Away – Once you have allowed a cooler head to prevail, ask the person directing the criticism what they mean by the statement they just let fly. It may well be that they said it in a way that was not intended to be critical, but which simply came out all wrong {you never know, now, do you?}.
3. Talk it out – If the statement was intended as a direct form of criticism, it is then time to be the adult in the room and tackle it in a way that is productive. Place the staple gun back on the desk and ask the critic if they can make some time to discuss the issue further, in a calm way and in private. This will allow you both to see each other’s point of view and hash out any issues that need resolving.
4. Pay Attention – The hurtful words heard in the statement can stick in your head even as you are talking it out. You need to be able to let that go and actually take time to listen to what is being said. There are none of us who are perfect, which means the criticism being levered in your direction might just be valid {it’s possible, after all, isn’t it?}.
5. Learn from the experience – If it does turn out that you did something that was not particularly good {ahem}, you need to be thankful and try to learn from the experience. Let the person who was critical of you know that you appreciate them bringing it to their attention. Also let them know that you will do all you can to improve that behavior moving forward.
6. Focus on the positive – Learning that you are behaving in a way that others don’t necessarily care for, can be hurtful, but you have to remain positive. Look for ways to improve and understand that only good things can come out of making those changes. If it turns out that the person criticising you was doing so to be deliberately hurtful or to undermine you, go back and try to find that staple gun!
Every single one of those people who are killing it out there, the people you most admire and respect, for their work, their personal life, their dreams and goals, they all have been criticised in one form or another, by naysayers. What do you think they did?
I can tell you what they didn’t do.
They did not give up on their dreams, their goals or aspirations, they just handled criticism as best they could, learned a lesson, if there was one to be learned and moved on, eyes on the prize.
As always I would love to know, how YOU handle criticism, in your life and business?
How do you respond to unjustified criticism?
Share your wisdom in the comments below.
Thank You for Sharing the Love,
How do you respond to unjustified criticism?
Share your wisdom in the comments below.
Thank You for Sharing the Love,
If you liked this post, you might also like:
Back to the Basics | The Importance of Picking your Battles in Everyday Life
Overcoming the Fear of Failure | How I Rejected the Illusions of Fear and you can too
Back to the Basics | The Importance of Picking your Battles in Everyday Life
Overcoming the Fear of Failure | How I Rejected the Illusions of Fear and you can too
About Me
Hi, I'm Nichole, and I am a Life Change Architect and a Motivational Speaker, Coaching, Writing and Running Workshops about Personal Growth and Positive Change.
Connect with me on Facebook or email me at nichole@take-ten.com
Hi, I'm Nichole, and I am a Life Change Architect and a Motivational Speaker, Coaching, Writing and Running Workshops about Personal Growth and Positive Change.
Connect with me on Facebook or email me at nichole@take-ten.com
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