How to Take Work Criticism Like a Pro

Didn’t get the report you were hoping for? How to make that work for you:

1. Take a breath.  Human Nature typically responds to criticism with gloves on.  You might fight back and make yourself look unappreciative, disrespectful and prideful, or you become passive aggressive and decide to only give the bare minimum in an effort to “show them who’s boss.”  Instead of letting our important, yet sometimes dangerous nature control us, what can you do to make this uncomfortable situation work for you?  You can breathe, listen, and process.  Being a teachable employee makes you a valued employee.  So, instead of flying off the handle, or plotting your secret revenge, take some time to process the criticism.

2. Ask questions. During your meeting, it is advantageous for you to take notes.  After you have listened and heard what your boss has observed about you, follow up with some helpful questions, such as: “thank you for bringing this to my attention, can you please give me a specific example of a time when I was argumentative?”  You could also ask “I really do want to develop my business skills, so I appreciate you taking your time to do this; do you have any resources you could recommend that would help me?”  Showing that you are listening will communicate to your boss that you are a team player.

3. Be Honest.  Taking responsibility for something you could improve on makes you a rock star.  Be the 1 in a million employee who blows their bosses mind by just being honest.   If you agree with them, let them know that and explain what you think has been an obstacle for you.  Do your best to refrain from using others in your explanation; this is your review, not theirs.

4. Consider the Critique.  Take some time alone to really consider your recent job performance, not based on what you think your job should look like, but based on the expectations of your superior.  How honest can you be with yourself?  This is a great opportunity to put your pride aside and grow in your humility.  You want to be the best you can be, right?  Let yourself be teachable in this moment.

 5. If you feel the criticism is unjust:  After you have really given your review some serious consideration, if you still feel that an injustice has occurred, that’s fine, but approach this carefully.  Request a meeting with your boss. Begin your discussion by showing appreciation, throw in your very humble, yet factual clarification, and end with more appreciation and a commitment to working with excellence. Again, please consider this step a few times. Sleep on it, seek wisdom from others (outside of your workplace) and then, consider it some more.

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Remember, receiving a report that isn’t ideal from your boss is not a horrible thing.  It means you are worth investing in; they are offering you wisdom and opportunity.  Hear the critique in light of that and you are ready to keep moving up in the world. 

Looking to overcome the obstacles that led to your recent review? 

For the Communicationally-Challenged

WHICH IS ALL OF US; IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE DAY.

All too often the art of communication, or lack of art, gets us into trouble.  With a little grace and intentionality in the way we listen and speak, the majority of the problems we face would be simplified and more manageable.  

6 Quick tips on how to communicate more effectively:

1. Approach conversations with the intent of listening to learn. Often, we go into a conversation chomping at the bit to get our opinions out into the universe.  If we reset our focus to listening, chances are high that our initial plan will change and become simpler than we thought. 

2. Listen and speak with grace and humility.  Always keep in mind that other people's struggles are no different than your own, in that we all have them. While the details of the struggle are not the same, the emotion behind it might be. You probably have more in common than you think.

3. Always begin hard conversations with a positive.  Make your positive statement, or observation authentic.  People can read BS from a mile away.

4. When listening, don't jump to a response right away. That communicates that you've just been waiting to say your piece.  Listen, take 3 seconds, and then speak.

5. Make eye contact, smile and lean in. When my husband and I first started dating, I pretty much decided to marry him because of his skills in this area. (Can I get an Amen, girls? Who doesn't love feeling like the only girl in the room?) He also had great teeth; I married him for that, too.  Also, for the love of all things good, put your phone down and turn it on silent. People will know you are listening and genuinely interested. 

6. If you don't have time to talk now, be honest.  Say something like: "This is really important to me, but if we talk now I won't be able to give you my full attention, and you deserve that.  Can we plan on talking today at 4:00?" This willprevent distractions and unnecessary frustration for you both.  Unless of course, this is your boss, or spouse...now is the perfect time. 

Time to Start

3 tips to help you get started on something new

It’s Time for you to Get Started

What is it you want to do? Everyone has something…what’s your something? 
Got it in your mind? Okay, now, why haven’t you gotten a move on that?

Here are three things you can do to get you moving in the right direction:

1. Realize that you can do it. 
“I can’t” is such a popular phrase, which is so silly.  We use it constantly, but we don’t really mean it.  You actually can.  Can you right now? Maybe not.  Can you eventually?  Absolutely.  Stop telling others and definitely stop telling yourself that you can’t do something.  It’s 2016, people….”I can’t” is quickly falling by the wayside. You have the desire, you have the capabilities, so yes, you can do it.

2. Decide What you Need in Order to Get Started.
It’s okay to not have everything you need in order to start something new.  Knowing what you need is all you need.  Do you need more education, or training? More accountability? Better time management?  You don’t have to obtain all of these things at the same time.  Write down the list of your needs, pick one, and get moving on that.

3. Commit to Making One Step.
Just one.  Sign up for that class.  Have that hard talk.  Rewrite your budget (or, create one if you don’t have one).  Say “no” to something, so that you can make room for something else.  What is one, small thing you can do to move you closer?  Pick it. Do it. You will look back later on and the simple, initial step you’re taking now will hold a different value to you.  What you choose to do now, when executed well, will set you on the path to more little steps until you find yourself wondering why you didn’t start this sooner.

You can’t go wrong here.  Try the one step.  If you realize it’s not for you, okay, you tried.  You can scratch it off the list without regret.   But, if it does work for you, whoa.  What does that look like for your life?

Today’s the day. Realize that you can do this. Decide what you need in order to make it happen. Commit…to one, small, step.  

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Would you like to take the jump, but don't have the motivation, or the discipline?
I would love to be a part of your new adventure.