Everyone knows that feedback is essential to the success of any organization. But what happens when that feedback (from your customers, employees, or even friends) is negative? Here are some tips to help leaders handle criticism.
Keep Your First Reaction in Check
Let’s face it: nobody likes criticism. No matter how experienced or how self-assured you are, a negative reaction is a hard pill to swallow. That’s why it’s important not to react impulsively to criticism. Instead, adopt an inquisitive mindset. Ask questions and try to understand where the other person is coming from.
Adopt a Constructive Attitude
Handling your immediate reaction to criticism is important, but it’s just a small fraction of what’s expected from you as a leader. Keep a constructive attitude and don’t take things personal. Playing the victim, pointing fingers, or trying to shift the blame will only undermine your leadership. Look at criticism for what it is: an opportunity for your organization —and yourself— to evolve.
Create an Action Plan
Criticism is useful but only if you are able to translate it into actions. After receiving criticism, ask yourself these questions:
- What is the root cause of the problem?
- What other factors contribute to the problem?
- What changes can we implement to solve the problem?
Conversations that involve negative feedback can be stressful even when they remain cordial. So don’t expect to come up with these answers immediately. You’ll probably need time to process the criticism and find a solution. What’s indispensable, however, is that you are committed to making the necessary changes.
More Tips to Propel Your Business Forward
Read these previous posts for more tips that cover every aspect of the management of your organization, from communication to online security.
- Don’t fall for these holiday scams
- Handling difficult conversations at work
- How to deal with the wave of post-pandemic career changes
- What is timeboxing?
About the Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
At the Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GRHCC), our core mission is supporting small businesses and economic development with advocacy, business referrals, marketing opportunities, training programs, student internships, and scholarships.