The digital economy demands innovation and creativity, but when you present ideas that are considered experimental or previously unheard of, chances are you will face some criticism.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise; after all before they were giants, innovations introduced by the likes of Google, Apple and Amazon were (and still are) met with the occasional scepticism.
Criticism in general comes from everywhere at any time in our life, and we also tend to get critical when we see actions, behaviours or decisions that challenge our perceptions and beliefs.
However, it’s important to note that not all criticisms are destructive.
In fact, some that are constructive can be a guide for change, pointing out mistakes and offering suggestions for future endeavours.
What matters most is how we approach criticisms of any kind – whether by valuing them in order to grow and become better individuals or by letting them drag us down and causing unnecessary stress and aggression.
Here are some dos and don’ts on handling criticism and while they might be easier said than done, you’ll find things are more manageable when you keep an open mind and acknowledge the reality that people will criticise you regardless of your actions.
DO:
- Take your time and focus on the message behind the criticism instead of the tone, because while it might appear confrontational on the surface, the points could actually hold water;
- Rationalise criticisms from the critics’ points-of-view. You can, for example, discuss things with someone who really knows you and is honest with you, or have an open and sincere conversation with the critics themselves for a clearer insight;
- Remain confident, which involves having a better understanding of yourself and accepting your strengths and weaknesses so that you won’t be affected by criticisms easily; and
- Ignore criticisms that are off base, because your time is better spent on those that provide room for learning and improvement.
DON’T:
- Get emotional and react at once, because your initial reaction may not reflect how you truly approach criticisms;
- Be too sensitive, because while it’s common to react negatively, such attitude towards criticisms can affect your relationship with other people, as well as your personal wellbeing;
- Get defensive by making excuses before your critics can even present their opinion, otherwise you’ll lose the opportunity of listening to suggestions that might be worth exploring; and
- Perceive criticism as an attack to you as a person. Instead, treat it as a feedback for the actions or decisions you’ve taken (constructive) or a distraction from your work or goals (destructive).
This is a weekly column by SarawakYES! – an initiative driven by Faradale Media-M Sdn Bhd and supported by Angkatan Zaman Mansang (AZAM) Sarawak – to provide advice and stories on the topics of education and careers to support Sarawakians seeking to achieve their dreams. Join us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
This article first appeared on The Borneo Post, visit this link: http://bit.ly/2zX9zHe
