How to Not Take Professional Criticism Personally

How to Not Take Professional Criticism Personally

Constructive criticism is necessary for any profession, but it can be difficult to take it personally. According to entrepreneur Alexander Djerassi, there are three ways to avoid detachment, understanding criticism, and self-improvement. This blog post will discuss each of these methods in-depth and provide tips on applying them to their own professional life.

1. Detachment:

The first way to avoid taking professional criticism personally is detachment. Djerassi advises professionals not to take the comments or feedback of their colleagues too seriously. He believes that it is essential to maintain a sense of detachment to prevent oneself from getting defensive and from over-reacting to constructive criticism. This method can be challenging to apply, but it can become easier to distance oneself emotionally from work-related interactions with practice.

Some tips on achieving detachment include keeping an open mind when listening to others’ feedback, refraining from using labels such as “good” or “bad,” and remaining neutral when giving and receiving critiques. By practicing these techniques, professionals will be less likely to get wrapped up in the emotions of the situation. They will be better equipped to analyze the criticism they receive objectively.

2. Understanding the Criticism:

The second way to avoid taking professional criticism personally is to understand the criticism. Alexander Djerassi believes that professionals should ask themselves a few critical questions in order to gain a better understanding of the feedback they receive:

-What specifically was criticized?

-Who delivered the critique?

-Under what circumstances did it occur?

By answering these questions, professionals can begin to decipher whether or not the criticism is valid and relevant to them. Additionally, by understanding where and when the critique was given and who delivered it, professionals can get an idea of that person’s experience and expertise regarding the topic at hand. This information can help determine whether or not to take the critique seriously.

It is also important to keep in mind that not all criticism is valid. Some feedback may be based on personal biases, assumptions, or misunderstandings. In these cases, it is important to evaluate the critique objectively and determine whether or not it has any merit. If the criticism does not seem valid, professionals can choose to ignore it or address it with the person who delivered the feedback. However, if there is a chance that the critique could be helpful, professionals should consider implementing it.

3. Self-Improvement:

The third way to avoid taking professional criticism personally is self-improvement. Djerassi believes that professionals should improve their work rather than defend it or become defensive when receiving constructive feedback. By concentrating on the areas of improvement, he says professionals will be able to objectively analyze whether or not they need to make changes to succeed in their profession and advance professionally. This can help them avoid feeling attacked by others’ critiques because they are focused on themselves instead of others’ opinions about them. In addition, focusing on self-improvement will allow for tremendous personal growth as a result of accepting constructive criticism from colleagues and peers alike.

Overall, Djerassi’s advice is both practical and insightful. By keeping an open mind when receiving constructive criticism from colleagues, professionals can avoid taking it personally and improve their work in the process. These tips will become second nature to any professional who seeks to succeed professionally and advance their career with practice.