You're struggling with criticism from a superior. How can you respond without feeling defensive or defeated?

Find what’s triggering first: What would you like to be acknowledged on? What do you feel is being taken away from you? To what degree do your ideas of right/wrong or should/shouldn’t affect how you hear/interpret things? What emotion do you think or sense is behind the criticism? And how do you normally respond to such emotion? Knowing this, how can your response turn this situation into an opportunity for growth and understanding?

When receiving criticism, it’s crucial to listen fully before reacting. This means not just hearing the words, but also understanding the intent behind them. By focusing on what your superior is saying, rather than preparing your defense, you can gain valuable insights into their perspective. Active listening helps you stay present in the conversation, reduces the likelihood of misunderstandings, and shows that you respect their feedback, which can lead to a more constructive outcome.

When criticized, it’s natural to want to defend yourself, but active listening is a more effective response. Research from the Harvard Business Review indicates that leaders who listen actively are 21% more likely to retain top talent. By giving your full attention, acknowledging the other person's points, and avoiding interruptions, you show respect and openness, which can quickly diffuse tension.

- Take a deep breath and listen fully before reacting. - View the feedback as a growth opportunity, not a personal attack. - Ask clarifying questions to understand their perspective better. - Reflect on the feedback and identify actionable steps for improvement. - Focus on using the feedback to improve, not letting it bring you down.

Pause and Breathe: Before responding, take a moment to compose yourself. Deep breathing can help calm your nerves and prevent an immediate defensive reaction. Listen Carefully: Pay close attention to the criticism. Understanding the specific feedback helps you address it more effectively and demonstrates your willingness to learn. Ask Clarifying Questions: If the criticism isn’t clear, ask for specific examples or details. This shows that you’re engaged and interested in understanding and improving. Acknowledge Valid Points: Recognize any valid aspects of the criticism. Admitting when you’ve made a mistake or acknowledging areas for improvement shows maturity and a willingness to grow.

After hearing the criticism, take a moment to reflect before responding. This pause allows you to process the feedback without letting your emotions take over. Reflecting calmly helps you detach from any initial feelings of defensiveness or defeat and enables you to approach the situation more rationally. It’s important to consider the feedback objectively, determining what’s constructive and how you can use it to improve, rather than letting it affect your self-esteem.

La reflexión tranquila después de recibir críticas es un paso vital hacia el crecimiento personal y profesional. Al tomarse un momento para considerar la retroalimentación de manera objetiva, se puede evaluar su validez y extraer lecciones valiosas para el mejoramiento propio. Una respuesta reflexiva y serena no solo reconoce los puntos válidos presentados, sino que también demuestra un compromiso genuino con la mejora continua. En última instancia, esta actitud ante la crítica refuerza la capacidad de adaptación y aprendizaje, elementos esenciales para el desarrollo en cualquier ámbito de la vida.

If any part of the criticism is unclear or seems unjust, don’t hesitate to ask questions for clarification. Doing so helps ensure you fully understand the points being made and avoids any misinterpretations. By seeking clarification, you demonstrate that you’re engaged and willing to learn from the feedback. This approach also shows that you’re taking the criticism seriously and are committed to addressing any issues raised, which can help prevent any misunderstandings from escalating.

Pedir aclaraciones cuando enfrentamos críticas que no son claras es un paso crucial para una comunicación efectiva. Al buscar comprender completamente el contexto de los comentarios, demostramos nuestro compromiso con el diálogo y la resolución de problemas. Esta práctica asegura que estamos respondiendo a la intención real detrás de las palabras y no a nuestras propias interpretaciones, lo que puede prevenir malentendidos y conflictos innecesarios. En última instancia, solicitar más información puede conducir a un diálogo más productivo y a una relación más sólida y respetuosa.

Una crítica siempre es una oportunidad: *entender la posición del crítico respecto de lo que uno hace. * potenciar y enriquecer nuestro accionar. Las críticas suponen una ventaja, entendiéndola como una herramienta favorable.

Expresar gratitud por la retroalimentación, incluso cuando es crítica, es una forma de reconocer el esfuerzo y la intención de mejora detrás de los comentarios. Agradecer no implica acuerdo total, sino una apertura al crecimiento personal y profesional. Esta actitud puede transformar la dinámica de la conversación, haciéndola más colaborativa y menos conflictiva, y establece un tono positivo que facilita la comunicación y el entendimiento mutuo. En resumen, la gratitud es una respuesta madura que enriquece las relaciones interpersonales y fomenta un ambiente de trabajo constructivo.

Tras escuchar, reflexionar, aclarar y agradecer, el paso siguiente y fundamental es la acción. Planificar y discutir medidas concretas para abordar las críticas muestra una actitud proactiva y un compromiso con la mejora continua. Establecer objetivos claros y plazos específicos para el cambio no solo demuestra a los superiores que sus comentarios son valorados, sino que también asegura que se traducirán en mejoras tangibles y positivas en el desempe?o. En última instancia, esta respuesta activa a la retroalimentación es lo que conduce al crecimiento y al éxito profesional duradero.

??? When you receive criticism from a superior, maintain things in perspective helps you to obtain a more balanced and detached view of the situation. ?? Put yourself in the shoes of your superior, being aware that it is not easy to play their role either. Nobody likes to have these conversations ?? Try to delve deeper into your feelings, realizing how much of it is conditioned by your ego. By doing so, you gain a clearer view of reality and it puts you mentally in a more favorable position to face the situation ?? Accept reality as it is and from there draw up an action plan that will contribute positively to your superior relationship and an objective response to improve the current situation of the facts that constitute the criticism

Keeping work only as a task to do in a certain way and not feeling that your identity goes with it is a difficult but great exercise to do. You can be really compromised with your job, feeling it as part of your purpose in life but it doesn't change the fact that it is a group of tasks that needs to be effectively done. You can put all your heart in your work but if you do it wrong it has nothing to do with your value as a person...it's just an action or an attitude that needs to be modified. Keeping the right perspective in everything we do put things in the right place.