How to Deal with Criticism from your Boss

Most workers have received criticism at some point or another in their job. But no matter if the criticism is well deserved or not, understand that you should always aim to react the same way when receiving it.

Feeling the need to vocally justify or argue with every unfavourable comment could hurt your perception and credibility. Be honest with yourself. If you’ve made an error that was unnecessary, exhibited negative attitude or engaged in unacceptable behaviour, accept any criticism with some style and grace. Should you be undeservedly criticized and have solid reasons for making an argument, calmly make these known.

Here are some tips to help you deal with criticism from your boss.

• Don’t explode.  Acknowledge the comments, showing your boss that you have heard the criticism and suggest that you’ll address his/her concerns after you’ve given the comments some thought.
  
  
• Get back to your boss.  If you use the prior tip during your conversation, be sure to stick to your promise. Don’t simply bury it in the sand, hoping it will go away. If the criticism was warranted, admit it gracefully. Should you decide that the critique was without merit, calmly state the reasons for your disagreement. You’ll feel better as will your boss.
  
  
• Understand (or learn) the reasons for and the source of the criticism.  If your boss is being unreasonable or there is another criticism source, consider standing your ground. If you strongly state your position on the matter or decide to communicate your strong displeasure to higher management, do this carefully and objectively. You might even learn that others agree with you and are aware of a further-reaching problem.
  
  
• Treat warranted criticism as a learning experience.  As always, attitude is a critical component at the workplace. Should your boss criticize you for good reasons, instead of reacting negatively, consider his/her comments as an opportunity to improve your performance in the future. Having a specific item noted that needs improvement is a perfect new goal for which to strive.

Even if you are the best of the best, it is most likely that you will face criticism at some point during your career. But the way you handle this adversity is usually much more critical than the problem itself. Your understanding of which criticisms are warranted and which are not, along with your reaction to each, will help to shape your future success in the workplace.

SIGN UP TODAY to receive a monthly career tips newsletter!