Here's how you can turn criticism into career growth.

One thing I've found helpful with my clients who struggle with criticism (often because they received a lot of judgements and criticisms in their childhood) is to ask them to notice how it makes them feel. Nobody likes to be criticised but it hurts the most when we believe the criticism to be partly or wholly true about us. It is damaging to take this in and make a further meaning of the criticism ie "I'm not enough...I'm not worthy" etc Life is about winning....or learning and so long as we view the criticisms with an understanding that everyone sees things from their own beliefs and perceptions, then we are more likely to be able to learn what is required and let go of any emotions and beliefs.

Just let it be known... every seat has a butt. And every "but" is just someone's opinion. You need to know that most of the criticism you receive is opinion, unless of course it is based on specific task requirements you failed to do well. But know this, 99% the information is a "sign," nothing foo, foo here... But the sign is a door potentially opening for your transformation. Maybe it opens to a new opportunity or it's simply an opportunity to grow where you are.

𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧-𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝: Approach criticism with an open mind, recognising it as an opportunity for growth rather than a personal attack. 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐲: Pay close attention to the feedback without interrupting, ensuring you fully understand the points being made. 𝐀𝐬𝐤 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Clarify any unclear aspects of the feedback by asking specific questions to gain a deeper understanding. 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞: Thank the person providing feedback for their insights, demonstrating your willingness to learn and improve.

Assume that the other side is at least 10% right and be open for new perspectives although your value system might be triggered. Empathy is key to remain open and receive.

Feedback can be a hard pill to swallow. The most important thing is to be open minded about feedback because of the amount of growth it can offer both on a personal and professional level. Be willing to listen and stay objective about the process, be willing to make the necessary changes you. Once you receive the feedback be willing to reflect on it and see what necessary changes you can make. Also try to see things from the other persons side or perspective.

If you see the intention coming from a positive and constructive place, then it's worthwhile creating space to reflect. This required courage and what I call RADICAL HONESTY. We must turn our attention inward for some introspection. Looking at our actions, the thoughts behind our actions and where we could improve.

𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐲 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬: Pinpoint specific aspects of the feedback that highlight areas for improvement or development. 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐆𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬: Create Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals to address the feedback. 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐲: Outline a clear, step-by-step plan detailing how you will work on the identified areas and achieve your goals. 𝐒𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Enlist the help of mentors, colleagues, or supervisors to provide guidance, resources, and accountability as you implement your plan.

It's important to not be hard on ourselves and let go of judgements about ourselves. Once we have done that, we can move into a plan. First thinking about who would we BE next time? All transformation starts at the level of BEING. Then actions follow. When planning actions, it's important to keep it simple and easy. New habits take time to build,

By communicating actively and engaging with criticism, one can transform it into a powerful tool for personal and professional development. It is worth remembering that effective communication is key to turning challenges into opportunities for growth and success. Turning criticism into a positive experience requires active communication and a constructive approach. It’s natural to feel defensive when receiving criticism, but strive to remain calm and composed. Responding defensively can shut down open communication which will close the doors of opportunities and better relationship

Communicating back to the person who gave you feedback about your reflection and planned actions shows a level of integrity in the way you lead life. It demonstrated you have taken on board their comments and DONE something about it.

I do this on a daily base - write down achievements. Long term goals stress us rather than serve as motivators. Our urgency should be on the daily, smaller things because they create the magic after 2-3-4 months.

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬: Keep a record of your improvements and accomplishments as you work on the feedback. 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬: Provide regular updates to the person who gave you the feedback, demonstrating your commitment to growth. 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭 𝐎𝐧𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤: Continuously seek feedback on your progress to ensure you are on the right track and to identify any new areas for improvement. 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬: Recognise and celebrate your milestones and successes along the way to stay motivated and acknowledge your efforts.

Turning criticism into a showcase of progress is a powerful way to demonstrate your commitment to personal and professional growth. By actively addressing criticism and showcasing your progress, you not only improve your skills but also build a reputation for being resilient and committed to excellence. Remember, every piece of constructive feedback is an opportunity to grow, and your proactive approach will set you apart as a dedicated and evolving professional. Periodically reflect on your journey of turning criticism into progress. Acknowledge the challenges you’ve overcome and the skills you’ve developed. This reflection will help you appreciate your growth and prepare for future feedback.

One should view criticism as an opportunity to learn and improve. A growth mindset allows one to see feedback as constructive rather than a personal attack. Take time to reflect on the feedback. Identify areas for improvement and create a concrete plan to address them. Setting specific, measurable goals can help turn criticism into actionable steps. If the feedback is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for specific examples or suggestions on how you can improve. This demonstrates your willingness to learn and grow. It’s natural to feel defensive when receiving criticism, but it’s crucial to remain calm. Take a deep breath and maintain a positive demeanor, which helps in processing the feedback more effectively. Have a great time!

Only you know your journey well. Many people will give you feedback in your personal and professional life. You have to be your own cheerleader because only you know your experience of life and what you've gone through. I find that, the less serious I am about my life, the more I am able to be positive and grow with others' feedback.

Always consider the source. ALWAYS. Is this person competing with you (and therefore benefits from shaking your confidence)? Is this person unqualified (ie. has no idea the work or commitment or preparation that goes into what you do)? Is this person successful in their own right (or are they just a consummate critic)? Always review to see if there is value in their words. Tweak whatever needs tweaking (humility over ego) but ALWAYS consider the source.

A couple of areas not included in the article are: 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞: Approach criticism with a positive mindset, viewing it as a constructive tool for personal and professional development. 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐦: Balance the constructive criticism with self-acknowledgement of your strengths and successes.

Be humble and encourage others to show you the mirror whenever there is a need. That's the only way you can get constructive criticism which you are covert into a growth driver. Without constructive criticism, you will never come to know many of your flaws and your potential will remain unfulfilled.

Convierte las críticas en crecimiento profesional con estos pasos: 1. Mente Abierta: Acepta las críticas con una actitud positiva. 2. Evaluación Objetiva: Analiza la crítica de manera impersonal y objetiva. 3. Clarificación: Solicita ejemplos específicos y feedback adicional. 4. Plan de Acción: Establece metas específicas y desglosa tareas con plazos. 5. Aplicar Cambios: Implementa ajustes necesarios y monitorea tu progreso. 6. Retroalimentación Continua: Pide revisiones regulares y busca mentoría. 7. Mentalidad de Crecimiento: Adopta una actitud de aprendizaje continuo y resiliencia. Estas estrategias te ayudarán a transformar las críticas en oportunidades para el crecimiento profesional.