What do you do if your superiors in a startup criticize your work?

Acknowledge their feedback, seek clarification if needed, and work towards addressing their concerns while actively seeking improvement opportunities.

It's imperative to approach situation with an open mind & willingness to learn & improve. Embracing feedback, regardless of its nature, can foster professional growth and contribute to success of the team & the company as a whole. It's essential to view criticism as constructive input rather than personal attacks, and to use it as an opportunity to refine skills and enhance performance. Moreover, engaging in open communication with superiors to gain a clear understanding of their expectations and priorities can help align efforts and drive progress towards shared objectives. Ultimately, maintaining a positive attitude & a proactive approach towards addressing feedback can lead to continuous improvement and success in a startup environment.

Listen openly, respond humbly — Welcome feedback without defenses up. There was a time my defensiveness nearly cost me a crucial relationship and learning opportunity. Mastering the art of truly listening and absorbing feedback without immediate reaction was a game-changer. It turned what could be tense moments into chances for growth. Remember, criticism isn't a personal attack but a road to betterment. As I often tell my kids, you hear more when you're quiet..!

Startups have small teams and are founders are usually handson. If they are criticizing your work, it's one of two reasons - either you are doing something incorrectly or your superiors are under the impression that you are doing something incorrectly. You will have to actively listen and ask clarifying questions to understand which one of the two it is.

Startups are all about being able to handle adversity, and that demands every worker in a startup keep a calm and cool head. Why? As a startup, you are learning and adjusting, even when you have strategies in place. You will always deal with criticism & feedback. What is most important is not taking any of it personally. Listen carefully to the people sharing criticism. Ask questions. Learn from their opinions. Be proactive and show your critics you can be approached with any kind of problem, and it will be solved. And afterwards, ask questions. Make sure you understand the points someone is trying to make. The ability to handle these situations will make you stronger at improving your business!

In your response, focus on solutions rather than dwelling on the criticism itself. Acknowledge any valid points raised and outline steps you'll take to address them. Emphasize your commitment to continuous improvement and invite further discussion if needed. By maintaining a positive and proactive attitude, you can turn criticism into an opportunity for growth and development.

Ask, don’t assume — When criticized, dive deeper. I once received vague feedback and by asking for specifics, I turned a confusing comment into a clear direction for improvement. It shows you're proactive and willing to grow. Another useful tactic is to ask for specific instances. This tactic was a game-changer for me, turning abstract criticism into tangible improvements.

After seeking clarification, take ownership of your actions and demonstrate a proactive attitude towards improvement. Implement any necessary changes promptly and effectively, showing your dedication to addressing concerns and achieving success. This proactive approach not only resolves issues but also showcases your accountability and initiative, earning trust and respect from your superiors.

Emotional intelligence in the AI era - As AI levels the playing field by democratizing access to information, it’s the human touch that will differentiate the winners from the rest. Navigating feedback with emotional intelligence has never been more critical. I learned the hard way that reactions could make or break valuable relationships. This era demands we shift our focus from IQ to EQ, where managing emotions and fostering genuine connections become the new currency of success.

Reflecting objectively also means that you have to understand wheter you are incorrect in your approach or whether the person criticizing you is incorrectly perceiving your work. If you are incorrect change your approach. If your superior is incorrect, clarify your approach.

After reflection, turn criticism into an opportunity for growth by setting specific goals for improvement. Break down larger objectives into actionable steps and track your progress over time. This proactive approach demonstrates your commitment to continuous development and enhances your value to the startup.

Do not overreact, reflect first — Take some time to reflect on the feedback. The most difficult part is often to separate your personal feelings from the work in question and consider the feedback to identify one major potential corrective action. Not more. One and stick to it.

Ensure your action plan includes measurable goals and realistic timelines. Break down tasks into manageable chunks and prioritize them based on their impact. Communicate your plan with relevant stakeholders to foster transparency and accountability. This proactive approach not only demonstrates your commitment to improvement but also facilitates alignment with the startup's objectives.

Bruno insight resonate with my own experience when I met with business leaders capable to reflect first instead of overreact, and it is the difference to be or become a CxO person, analytics skills need to be used in all circumstances, the biggest challenge is "how to reflect when you need to make a quick and efficient decision", this ability makes the difference specially in a start-up which need to grow quickly.

When you are criticised, you need to understand the real reason for that criticism. 1. Genuine criticism (because it was your mistake) 2. Fake criticism (to pull you down and it was not much your fault) 3. That person criticises all (this is not a typical scenario) Once you understand the real reason you need to start working towards the action. If it’s genuine criticism then you need to make sure you work on it and ensure that you do not have to face same situation again. If it’s fake criticism then you need to be smart enough to handle it and ensure that the person doesn’t get any opportunity to repeat the same, you need to tactfully manage the situation. In all the cases avoid overreacting, keep calm!

If your superiors criticize your work in a startup, approach it professionally by listening carefully, asking for clarification if needed, and staying calm. Use the feedback as a chance to improve and take proactive steps to address any concerns raised. Seek guidance if necessary and follow up to show your commitment to growth and improvement. Handling criticism constructively can help you develop professionally and contribute positively to the startup's success. #ahmedalaali11