How do you handle critical feedback—where you receive a frank assessment of where things are either not right, or could stand to improve?
Although it’s easy and natural to push back, and either defend the way things are, or to ignore (or even resent) the feedback, the foundational question should first be, Is this assessment true? Are there things that really do need to change or improve?
Because if the criticisms are legitimate, we should be embracing them rather than resenting them, because they offer us an opportunity to learn and grow. Instead of seeing them as threats, we can view them as gifts, being grateful instead of bitter.
So, if critical feedback can actually be a key to personal development, wouldn’t the wise thing be to receive it and grow, rather than resist it and stay the same?