What do you do if you receive constructive criticism at work?

Receiving constructive criticism at work can be a challenging yet valuable experience. It provides an opportunity for personal growth and professional development. When faced with criticism, it's crucial to harness your analytical skills to evaluate the feedback objectively. This means breaking down the information into manageable parts, assessing its validity, and determining how to implement changes effectively. By doing so, you can transform criticism into actionable insights that propel your career forward. Remember, the goal of constructive criticism is to improve your performance, not to diminish your value or achievements.

1 Listen Carefully

When you're on the receiving end of constructive criticism, the first and most important step is to listen carefully. This means giving the person your full attention, resisting the urge to interrupt or defend yourself, and focusing on understanding their perspective. Listening attentively will not only show respect for their viewpoint but will also help you grasp the nuances of their feedback. By doing so, you can accurately assess which aspects of your work may need improvement and clarify any points that may be unclear.

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Leopoldo Farias Rodriguez

Sr. Reservoir Engineer at Halliburton
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Receiving constructive criticism means that you are surrounded by individuals who want you to succeed. It's important to attentively listen to their feedback, express gratitude for their insights, and ensure you comprehend the areas they suggest for improvement. Take ownership of the feedback, acknowledging where enhancements can be made, and refrain from making excuses or becoming defensive. Even if you initially disagree, it's beneficial to implement the suggested changes and evaluate if they enhance the outcome. Report back the results and discuss!

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Dmitrii Kalinin

Project Manager | Green Energy & Automotive | Strategic Market Expansion | Innovation Enthusiast | 4x LinkedIn Top Community Voice
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Active listening is the best way to receive a constructive criticism - it allow you to separate facts about your work from the emotions of the person, who is giving you the feedback. Let me explain - there is 2 people in front of you saying the same phrase - your job can be better. You asked them: "Why? What can be improved?" First person: "Your last presentation had a few mistakes in it, i suggest you to check it next time" Second person: "I do not know, i feel you can do better" What started with the same phrase ended differently - active listening help you to separate important things from the feelings.

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Anderson Alves

Founder at Data Rocket | Data Analyst | BI Specialist | Low Code | No Code | Power Platform | Power BI | Power Apps | Tableau | SQL | Microsoft Certified - Data Analyst Associate
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Quando alguém oferecer uma crítica construtiva, ouça com mente aberta e sem interromper. Demonstrar interesse no feedback mostra que você valoriza a opinião do outro.

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2 Stay Calm

It's natural to feel defensive or upset when criticized, but staying calm is essential. Take deep breaths, maintain a neutral demeanor, and remind yourself that this feedback is meant to help you grow. By keeping your emotions in check, you can think more clearly and respond more effectively. This self-control will also demonstrate to your colleagues that you can handle difficult situations with grace and professionalism.

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Anderson Alves

Founder at Data Rocket | Data Analyst | BI Specialist | Low Code | No Code | Power Platform | Power BI | Power Apps | Tableau | SQL | Microsoft Certified - Data Analyst Associate
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Lembre-se de separar a crítica da sua pessoa. O feedback é sobre seu trabalho, não sobre quem você é como pessoa. Saiba entender que sempre haverá críticas, mas saiba separar as construtivas e destrutivas.

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3 Reflect Objectively

After receiving feedback, take some time to reflect on it objectively. This involves separating your personal feelings from the critique and considering the validity of the points raised. Analyze the feedback: What are the key issues? How do they affect your work? Are there patterns in the criticism that point to areas needing improvement? Reflecting in this way allows you to turn feedback into a plan of action.

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4 Ask Questions

If any part of the criticism isn't clear, don't hesitate to ask questions. This shows that you're engaged and committed to understanding the feedback fully. Inquire for specific examples or suggestions for how you can improve. This dialogue can provide valuable insights and help you make more informed decisions about changes to your work habits or techniques.

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Harey Vargas

Ingeniera Agrónoma
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En lo personal, considero que recibir críticas constructivas es una parte esencial del crecimiento profesional, deben ser aceptadas con humildad y utilizarlas como herramientas para mejorar.

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Anderson Alves

Founder at Data Rocket | Data Analyst | BI Specialist | Low Code | No Code | Power Platform | Power BI | Power Apps | Tableau | SQL | Microsoft Certified - Data Analyst Associate
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Se a crítica não estiver clara, não hesite em pedir mais detalhes ou exemplos para entender melhor o ponto de vista da pessoa.

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5 Plan Improvement

With a clear understanding of the feedback, devise a plan for improvement. Identify specific, actionable steps you can take to address the issues raised. Set realistic goals and timelines for implementing these changes. This plan will serve as a roadmap for your personal and professional development and will show your commitment to continuous improvement.

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Anderson Alves

Founder at Data Rocket | Data Analyst | BI Specialist | Low Code | No Code | Power Platform | Power BI | Power Apps | Tableau | SQL | Microsoft Certified - Data Analyst Associate
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Identifique quais ações podem ser tomadas para abordar os pontos levantados na crítica construtiva. Estabeleça metas claras e um plano de ação para implementar as mudanças necessárias.

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6 Follow Up

Finally, ensure you follow up on the feedback you've received. This might involve checking in with the person who provided the criticism to update them on your progress or seeking additional feedback after implementing changes. Following up not only demonstrates your dedication to improving but also allows you to gauge the effectiveness of the steps you've taken and make adjustments as necessary.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Anderson Alves

Founder at Data Rocket | Data Analyst | BI Specialist | Low Code | No Code | Power Platform | Power BI | Power Apps | Tableau | SQL | Microsoft Certified - Data Analyst Associate
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Coloque em prática as mudanças sugeridas e monitore os resultados. Demonstrar que você está disposto a agir com base no feedback recebido pode ajudar a fortalecer suas relações profissionais e melhorar seu desempenho geral.

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What do you do if you receive constructive criticism at work?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen Carefully

2 Stay Calm

3 Reflect Objectively

4 Ask Questions

5 Plan Improvement

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Analytical Skills

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What do you do if you receive constructive criticism at work?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Listen Carefully

2 Stay Calm

3 Reflect Objectively

4 Ask Questions

5 Plan Improvement

6 Follow Up

7 Here’s what else to consider

Analytical Skills

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