Don't Criticise Me!

Why are we afraid of criticism? Why are we so sensitive about being critiqued and so fearful about sharing our evaluations? I believe constructive criticism is good.

As a business leader, I have experienced staff becoming despondent and beginning to spiral because they have been criticised. I have heard very similar stories from fellow #entrepreneurs.

Sadly, this seems to be a trend among younger workers. Many appear ill-equipped to hear anything negative about their professional performance.

Don’t Criticise Me!

I want you all – young and old, boss and employee – to understand that constructive criticism is valuable.

Of course, no one likes to be told they’ve done something poorly or are not performing as well as they should or could.

But if something is being done incorrectly, ignoring that out of fear of offending benefits no one. The individual doesn’t have a chance to learn and improve. The business continues to lose out.

Unfortunately, there are members of the workforce who simply cannot take criticism.

I don’t know why, although an entrepreneur of my acquaintance did have a thought. She blamed modern education, saying children are no longer told they are ‘wrong’ and there is no such thing as ‘losing’.

This seems an extreme interpretation of inclusivity, reinforcement, and positivity in today’s schools. I prefer encouragement to the old-fashioned education staples of shame and punishment, personally.

However, it is an attitude I’ve witnessed for myself. I’ve watched managers deliver fair, helpful, constructive feedback to staff, only for the employee to be left reeling. They become deflated, introspective, and offended.

Some have refused the chance to develop, preferring to label the feedback as destructive or bullying.

Taking Criticism

Everyone should want to grow and learn, professionally and personally. As I often say, we should all strive to be better tomorrow than we are today.

When someone with more experience offers to point out where you have gone wrong or could improve, listen. This is your opportunity to benefit from the wisdom of another and find ways to develop and get better.

Sometimes, the feedback can be clumsy or unthinking, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t valid. You can let someone’s criticism get your back up and slam shut your defences. Or you can listen, ponder what has been said, and take from it the lessons that will let you advance.

This is a pathway to personal growth.

How to Give Criticism

Negative responses to feedback are not solely the fault of the worker. For leaders and managers, how they deliver constructive criticism is crucial.

The clue is in the phrase. The feedback needs to be constructive.

• Don’t just tell an employee they are doing something wrong. Explain why and how it can be fixed.
• Don’t speak in anger. If someone is letting you down, take time, reflect on what you need from them, then talk to them calmly and constructively. How you deliver the feedback is just as important as what the feedback is, if you want it to be heeded.
• Don’t single individuals out for public shaming. Consider the most appropriate setting for discussing shortcomings and resolutions. Conflict and embarrassment are not conducive to active listening.
• Accept your own failings. If you are regularly being let down in the same way, and by more than one team member, maybe the fault doesn’t entirely lie with them. Was your induction process good enough? Is your training sufficient? Are you providing adequate oversight and support?

Constructive criticism is about making things better. If that means being critical of your performance, then embrace it.

Constructive Criticism is Essential

We all have it in us to grow and learn. Professionally and personally, surely striving to be a better version of ourselves should be a common goal?

Criticism, from others and from ourselves, is part of this journey. To develop, we need to know where improvements are necessary.

Taking personal offence at negative feedback is denying ourselves the opportunity to grow. Why would we do that?

Equally, understanding how to deliver criticism is fundamental to supporting your team to blossom.

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Brendan Beeken FInstSMM is an Entrepreneur, Commercial Strategist, Investor, Philanthropist and the Founder and Chairman of cryptocurrency exchange Moni Talks. By sharing his business journey, both the successes and failures, and his personal values and vision, he hopes to inspire and assist fellow businesspeople and budding entrepreneurs. Find out more at brendanbeeken.comAfraid