How we handle criticism affects our mental health. When we automatically get into a defensive mode, we don’t take any lessons from the encounter. Gradually we establish a victim mentality
Always playing catch up with addressing criticism affected my mental health when I first came out of my first mental ward admission
I was put on less mentally demanding work as a result. Site surveys became my major activity rather than design office work.
Criticism and collaboration go hand in hand. We must acknowledge valid facts when on the receiving side of criticism.
Here are a few tips with handling criticism:
##1 Don’t accept or go for work-arounds, deal with the root cause
It is very easy to settle for work-arounds for problems that bring up criticism. This is because they are often far quicker to do. however, if you don’t deal with the root cause, the issues resurface, and can often be worse.
##2 Deal with teams individually, then collectively
Very often it is best to deal with individual complaints before addressing them collectively. that way we achieve focus in the resolution of the problem from an individual perspective in a way that makes the collective resolution more effective.
##3 Never avoid the difficult conversation
Make your proposal using the best form of communication you know is acceptable for the the particular situation at hand. It is essential to deal with the challenging situations particularly those most directly affected by the complaint
##4 Avoid coming off as manipulative.
Be sensitive to the schedule of others, particularly of those with greater responsibilities than you. Show that you have acknowledged the valid facts that have been raised even if you don’t agree with the conclusions.
When we handle criticism well, we not only grow from the experience, we can better shape others by the way we give our own feedback to others.
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It all started with Eze (fondly called Chuck) fainting at the airport. When he regained consciousness, Chuck found himself in a mental hospital. He was diagnosed with Psychotic Depression. Over time, Chuck was diagnosed with a range of other mental illnesses with the final one being Schizophrenia. Unbeknown to him about this latest record on his medical files, Chuck carried on with day to day living over the next 14 years until he met Zoe. Over the next 4 years, Chuck and Zoe began a journey of faith to defy the odds of mental illness. Today Chuck’s medical records say NO MENTAL ILLNESS. He defied mental illness and is helping others do the same.
