Get defensive
There’s probably a buttoned up, officious, bureaucratic, passive voice, robotic complicated and absolutely correct way of saying what you have to say. The way some…
When someone criticises you, your team or what you do, it’s natural to get defensive.
To focus on the good things and minimise what they’re saying or its relevance, to discredit the messenger and listen only to more kindly affirmations of your own opinion of excellence.
It’s natural, because most of that good stuff is true – and who doesn’t like to rely on truth in the face of adversity?
But natural may also be foolish – because despite all the good thing about what you do … there are probably some less good, and this critic may simply be giving honest and direct feedback in the hope that you want to improve and make things even better. Which you probably do.
When you hear comments you don’t like to hear, turn towards rather than away, and ask, is this also true?
Skippy strategy: Seek out the truth in criticism.
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