Coimbatore Taxi News

Accept criticism with grace when you fault

Giving or accepting criticism is inevitable at the workplace. The effectiveness of the criticism depends on one’s approach to it. Whether you are at the giving or receiving end your ability to learn or gain from the criticism depends on your attitude.

Though it is true that none of us like to receive criticism, we have to learn how to deal with it. The typical attitude to criticism can range from expressing denial, turning defensive or letting it affect one’s self-esteem or doubting one’s abilities.

None of these reactions help to learn or improve one’s performance. Ideally, the right reaction to any critical feedback is to try and learn from it. For this one has to listen attentively and without any bias.

The important thing is to recognise the fact that the person criticising you is not attacking you personally but appraising your work or behaviour. A personal attack is easily recognisable, so do not make an error in judgement and retaliate. Do not brush aside the other person, the criticism could help you get a better insight.

Sometimes, you may not be right or would have made errors without realising it. So listen carefully and reiterate what the other person wants you to change or improve on.

It is no doubt difficult to accept criticism, because it requires humility and the self-confidence to accept one’s mistake or the fact that you may be wrong. So take the other person seriously if you want to better yourself.

If you are at fault, apologise for your mistake and ask for suggestions to change and implement them. Ask the person for feedb@
ÏÏð<M€ged approach/behaviour on a regular basis so that he is aware how serious you are and takes more interest and involvement in helping you in the future as well. Such feedback will help in your career progress.

The more reasonable/prudent approach to criticism would be to look at it as an opportunity to improve and this attitude will put you in the good books of seniors. Also remember that the person who is giving the criticism is not very comfortable doing it, but showing your attention and interest for genuine feedback will make it easier for him and you. If you approach criticism this way, then you will find in it the inspiration to do better the next time.

However, it is not necessary that every criticism is genuine, some may be directed at you for inexplicit reasons or the other person may be under stress to judge your performance properly. To judge how far the criticism is genuine/justified you need to be well aware of your own strengths and weaknesses. Consider if there is any truth in the criticism and if it is justified. If it does not meet these parameters, then the criticism is just an excuse to vent frustration, blow off steam or gain attention.

On the other side, if you are the person expressing the criticism, ensure that you do it in the right manner so that the other person realises his mistake.

Constructive criticism will enable the other person to change for the better. When you criticise, remember to also recall what the person has done well and praise his abilities and mention a quality you admire in him. This will make him more receptive to your feedback.

Remember to focus only on the action of the person and do not criticise him personally.

End your conversation by expressing your hope and confidence that he will take your feedback in the right perspective and do better the next time.

Whether receiving or expressing criticism, the final aim is to motivate the best performance in others or us. One has to learn to do it with respect and accept it with grace to succeed both professionally and personally.

HEMA.G

-The Hindu