Ways you can keep your calm when boss or colleagues are criticizing you

Even the slightest bit of negative criticism is easy to misinterpret. Criticism at work often affects every part of life, adding stress during work hours and invading thoughts outside the office. But think for a moment – what if it is a genuine point being made. It would be far worse for people to notice you doing bad work and not say a word, isn’t it?
If you don't handle it well, negative feedback from your superiors and colleagues can ultimately derail your career. Here’s the best way to receive negative feedback well. Just follow these 8 steps:

1. Listen
Be genuinely open to hearing what the other person is saying and try not to interrupt or jump to conclusions. If a colleague or higher-up has something negative to say, don't disregard their comments even if you don't have a high opinion of the person. Instead of shutting down, stay objective about what he or she is saying.

2. Assume good intentions
Unless proven otherwise, assume good intentions. Don’t automatically jump to the conclusion that the person criticizing you is “out to get you.” Of course, sometimes they are. In that case, you….

3. Do not get defensive
Instead you might say what you’ve learned and what you will do differently from now on. Whether at work or at home, it's easy to get defensive when being criticized. But fight the urge and give your boss or co-worker a fair chance to express his or her thoughts. Just think the person giving you the feedback might have a reasonable point, something you may not pick up on if you're busy thinking about how to defend yourself.

4. Don’t take it personally
Remember that they’re criticizing your work, not you as a person. Never take negative feedback about your work as a criticism of you as a person.

5. Stay calm
Don't loose your cool, especially in a professional setting. Think about whether it's the feedback or how it was given that's making you angry. Most of the time it's how the negative feedback was delivered rather than the content that people find offensive. If feedback is presented in a constructive environment, criticism can be more easily digested.

6. Determine if it's accurate
Even if the criticism was conveyed in a startling way, there might be some truth to what your boss or colleague is saying. Responding with a brusque 'okay' and nothing more makes it look like you're just interested in ending the conversation. Instead, take a step back to assess the situation. Speak to mentors, family members or others in your office to help you understand whether the criticism is valid.

7. Don’t be too hard on yourself
Remember that everyone makes mistakes and has things to learn. Yes, that includes you. There’s nothing wrong with making mistakes, but making the same mistakes over and over is because you refuse to listen to criticism. That ego needs to be put aside for a moment.

8. Address the problem
No matter who's at fault, it's important to address the problem, whether it's changing your own actions, acknowledging a misunderstanding or looking for others to change their ways. If the negative feedback is coming from your boss, accepting the feedback can help you improve in the future.

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