What do you do if you receive criticism on your work?

Pause first. Take a breath and absorb the critique. Don't react defensively. Reflect on its validity and consider how you can improve. After digesting, respond calmly or seek clarification if needed. Remember, criticism is an opportunity for growth.

To handle criticism effectively, maintain calmness and open-mindedness, actively listen, ask clarifying questions, express gratitude, reflect on the feedback, identify areas for improvement, seek support if needed, take action, and follow up appropriately. By practicing mindfulness, you can learn from the feedback, grow professionally, and enhance the quality of your work. By focusing on the present moment, implementing changes, and following up with the person providing the feedback, you can achieve greater success and effectiveness in your work.

I’d like to emphasize the profound impact of intentional training on our cognitive processes. The saying “how you train is how you’ll brain” encapsulates this beautifully. Mindfulness isn’t a passive state; it’s an active practice. Regular sessions of mindfulness meditation, body scans, or mindful breathing help strengthen our attentional muscles. Our brains exhibit remarkable plasticity. Mindfulness practice can rewire neural pathways, enhancing attention, emotional regulation, and resilience. While mindful breathing is foundational, it’s essential to go beyond. To take your practice even further, actively seek out feedback and criticism to practice in a real-life situation. Do this within a safe space, with a trusted partner.

I would not fully agree that active listening is always a solution in case of criticism, because the the word 'criticism' itself is destructive by nature. If you face uninvited criticism about your work, it's better to pause and take a step back from the conversation. Only in case of constructive relevant feedback active listening is going to pay off.

Listen actively. Hear out the criticism without interrupting. Show understanding and ask clarifying questions if necessary. Use the feedback constructively to enhance your work. Remember, active listening fosters improvement.

Assess fairly. Evaluate the criticism objectively, considering its merit. Avoid dismissing it hastily. Determine if adjustments are warranted for improvement. Fair assessment promotes growth.

In a client service role I am often faced with criticisms. This should never be taken personally as you have to remember if it is a single criticism then its really only an opinion, If many then it is a process failure. Take the time to listen, ask that time is given to investigate or think. Decide then if it is something actionable or not and set a follow up call. Explain why you don’t accept the criticism with evidence backed information or explain what you are doing to try and resolve. Taking the immediate sting out of the conversation allows time for both parties to reflect and both becoming enablers.

When receiving criticism on your work, stay open-minded and receptive. Listen actively to understand the feedback, and ask clarifying questions if needed. Avoid taking it personally and focus on constructive aspects to improve. Reflect on the feedback, identify areas for growth, and take proactive steps to address them. Seek support or guidance from mentors or colleagues if necessary. Use criticism as an opportunity for learning and professional development.