Question:

As we wrap up mid-semester feedback and hurtle toward final feedback meetings, have a read through these Tips for Handling Criticism. Do you find it difficult to take criticism? Before working at The Commons, had you ever experienced “performance reviews” at other workplaces? What strategies work for you when receiving criticism/feedback?

Answer:

I don’t find it difficult to take criticism, I think of it as a way to better myself and I think an employer really likes to see when their criticism is taken seriously. For example, if I am told that I don’t do enough rounds, I will use that and do more rounds next time so when my employer sees that, they know that I heard them and it actually makes it better. So what I’m trying to say is, that it’s impossible to not get criticism in the workplace or daily life, it’s how you react to the criticism that matters not only to you but to your employer who sees you working hard to better your mistakes. I had experienced performance reviews when I worked at a library in Toronto during high school. The strategies I use are are very in line with the article on Tips for Handling Criticism, I make sure to give the criticizer all of my attention so they know that I am hearing them, I then make a point to, if the criticism is valid, take their criticism to heart and do better onwards so they see that I take their opinion seriously. I also agree with the article in not taking criticism from people I don’t respect too seriously. I have gotten plenty of unwarranted criticism that just needs to be brushed off, and the ability to know when to take criticism to heart is essential to how I conduct myself.