July 06, 2017 | 5 min read
Dealing With Constructive Criticism? Use It To Your Advantage!

Catherine

While some companies only provide their employees with an end-of-year review, there will be times throughout the year where you may be asked to go over your current performance or undergo a formal mid-year review. Reviews of any nature can be nerve-racking to begin with, but there are fewer things more frustrating than getting a review that isn’t as stellar as you hoped it would be.

Although it could throw you for a loop, it’s important to remember that a review with more constructive criticism isn’t the end of the world or the writing on the wall. Instead, it’s a perfect opportunity to self-evaluate and re-energize for the second half of the year. But, if you are struggling to come to terms with your supervisor’s feedback, here are four ways to take it in stride and improve:

1. Don’t take things personally

It can be easy to feel hurt by constructive criticism you receive from your supervisor, but it’s important to not let that type of critique hit a sensitive nerve. Work is a significant portion of life, but being told there are areas where you can improve is not something you should take personally. This type of direction is meant to help you, but if it stings, take a deep breath and remind yourself that the constructive criticism you received is meant to guide your growth.

2. Ask your supervisor how they feel your work can improve

One of the most frustrating things you can experience when dealing with constructive criticism is not having a discussion about steps going forward for how you can improve. This isn’t necessarily about disagreeing as much as it is about demonstrating your commitment to improving in areas where you struggle. If you aren’t sure how to proceed with a particular line of criticism, don’t be afraid to ask! Expressing a willingness to accept feedback and make improvements will not only impress your supervisor, but show your commitment to the company.

3. Put your supervisor’s notes into practice

Though you may not agree with all of the feedback, you should still put their recommendations for improvement into practice. A key factor in your relationship with your supervisor should be trust, which is a two-way street. While your supervisor needs to believe you are taking their advice seriously, you need to feel that any constructive criticism is being provided in your best interests. So, while you may second guess their judgment in the moment, don’t let that spill over into your everyday work!

4. Request time to follow-up

After some time has passed and you’ve started to put the constructive criticism you received into practice, ask your supervisor if they have time to schedule a follow-up. By doing so, you’re proving to them that you’re not only committed to improving yourself, but that you value their input in your improvement as well. While many of your colleagues may also be dealing with constructive criticism, they may not have scheduled a time to see how they have met their goals. Asking to follow-up not only puts you on a more direct track for improvement, but it will impress your supervisor and other high-level employees as well!

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