How well do you accept criticism?

[medpedspouse]

It really depends on the situation. I teach how to be reflective learners and am a huge advocate for debriefing after an event. Still, sometimes I cannot be objectives enough so I seek friends that will tell me what I need to hear not what I want to hear. I actually get frustrated at work when my colleagues do not offer any feedback or say lame stuff like "it is great" - why is it great?? Having said that, my feathers get ruffled when people criticize me without knowing the whole story OR criticize just to hear themselves talk/make themselves feel better. IMHO, if you want to criticize me, then you must also take the time to ascertain my mental model, help me reach each step on the "ladder of inference" and stick around long enough for me to externally process (like I like to do) what just happened to solidify my change in attitude, skills and/or behaviors. If you are not willing to stick around for all that....then, I must criticize you for your poor criticizing skills. . Lol.

[OrionGrad]

I'm not naturally great at taking criticism, but I've had to get better at it over the years because it's just a part of my job as a writer. As I've gotten more confident in my own abilities, I've become less worried about what individual editors think of my writing and I'm less likely to be upset if I get a project back with lots of edits.

[SoonerTexan]

Depends on the source.

Work criticism is easier than personal criticism for me.

I'm better at dishing it out than I am at taking it

[PrincessFiona]

I'm better at dishing it out than I am at taking it

LOL. Me too.

[MAPPLEBUM]

I believe I'm very receptive to professional criticism. Growing up with the teacher/student dynamic of always being told how to make it better (one reason why music lessons are beneficial for developing character) has turned me into an adult who seeks guidance/criticism. If it's personal, though, tread lightly! If I ask for input that's one thing. But there have been times when friends have very carefully challenged me and I've been immediately grateful.

Critical comments from the hubby are a big no. He's getting better and is starting to learn curt comments warrant a kick in the balls.

[Meenah]

I take it pretty well if it is justified. If not I can ignore it.

[DrBandMe]

I've been pondering this one and I still don't think I have a conclusion or a rule of thumb. Sometimes I take it really well and other times I am crushed and pull myself apart for days while I agonize over every detail. Generally speaking though, I think I take criticism pretty well as long as it is done soon after/close to the event in which it involves. For instance, if I screw something up and you tell me right away I can process it well. I think it's because I feel like I can adjust right away and not perpetuate the issue. But if I find out in some passive aggressive way or months down the road - yeah, I don't handle it well. I get defensive and mopey about it.

For instance, my best friend is pissed at me because I haven't contacted her in a couple weeks. She lost her dad and her cousin all within a week at the beginning of this month. We were still traveling for interviews so I couldn't make it to either funeral or help her move into her dad's old house. I haven't spoken to her in about 2 weeks because I got busy. Shit hit the fan in my own life and days passed in a blink of an eye for me. Should I have texted or called her - absolutely, I dropped the ball and became too self-absorbed. BUT instead of contacting me to say "hey asshole, wtf" she chose to make cryptic status updates/tweets and a writing she posted to another social media we are part of that CLEARLY were pointed at me about how hurt she is because I've forgotten her and how I've moved on from her friendship. I hate that shit. Don't be passive aggressive because now I'm just defensive and you're in the wrong, too. I'm not handling it well. Call me out on the carpet right away and let's move on together. Don't make it this drama. I hate drama.

[thomasboie]

I think criticism is good for our future and we can correct our mistakes and become perfect in our life but criticism should be positive .