Want To Be Great? Take Criticism!
March 16, 2008
When you launch a new business you have lots of ideas and ambitions - as you should! Nobody starts something with the goal of being mediocre!
Unless you’re coming into this business with tons of experience in doing everything, there will be a learning curve - and you will make mistakes. People will point out something that you’re doing wrong or a customer will complain about your quality… and how you respond to these criticisms will determine how well you grow as a businesswoman.
I can tell you that I never LOVE critique but I do appreciate it and make a real effort to learn from it.
How have you embraced criticism?
I always welcome criticism. It is the way that we learn.
I used to struggle with criticism, but then I embraced it and now welcome it.
I vividly remember the first article I wrote for publication. I was 14 and the editor completely ripped it apart. It was a quick and early lesson in developing a thick skin and looking at criticism as a potential learning experience. Take what makes sense, disregard the rest, and move on!
Now if only I could teach people how to give constructive criticism:-)
I haven’t always been the best at criticism. I guess that’s why I allowed myself to be robbed of a writing career for over 20 years. I took the criticism to heart and as an attack on my person, not my skill. Since that time, I’ve found that it helps not to wear your heart on your sleeve. And I’m trying to teach my boys the same lessons so they’ll be able to reach for their goals and learn from constructive criticism.
I used to struggle with it when I was younger but now I don’t let it get to me. I listen, take what I feel is important from it and move on.