What do you do when you're the target of criticism? Here are the two kinds of critics that show up at work in the workplace and also how to address them.

It all comes back to Mathnet

Two kinds of critics

The bully

The champion

Why you need your critics

Hawthorne studies (Harvard article) (Economist article)

Benefits You Get From A Recognition Program (episode #79) with Michelle Smith of O.C. Tanner

“Our chief want in life is someone who will make us do what we can.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Actions you can take

Listen and be calm (useful for both the bully and the champion)

Our urge is to become defensive

It may put up barriers to hearing something of value

If the criticism is unwarranted, you’re the one keeping your cool (unless the other party is factually wrong in a public forum)

If the other party is factually wrong in public, make your case confidently and professionally

Set aside the tone or personal attack (useful for both the bully and the champion)

Is there value in what the person is saying, beyond the tone?

Ask a more independent party to analyze it for you.

Ask for feedback and criticism (useful with the champion)

“Be your own toughest critic. Demand excellent performance from yourself and your leadership will thrive in the face of adversity.” -Doug Conant

This worked for me in my first full-time job

Take advice of Tom Henschel for episode #107

Ask often

Say thank you or can you help me understand

Do something with it or don’t

Embrace the criticism and make change (useful for both the bully and the champion)

Realize that a lot of people use criticism as a primary tool for development

Take one suggestion this week to actually put into action

Love your enemy (useful with the bully, and sometimes the champion)

Find something about them you can love

Feel sorry for them

Be glad you're not married to them

What if your boss is the bully?

Try one or more things above that you think might help

Are you getting more than you're giving?

If not, work towards another opportunity

Don't throw them under the bus on the way out the door

To Those Who Want Great Careers: Don’t Do What This Guy Did

Other episodes that might help

Benefits You Get From A Recognition Program (episode #79)

Ten Ways To Pick Yourself Up When You’re Beaten Down (episode #85)

Three Steps To Soliciting Feedback (episode #107)

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none." -William Shakespeare

Feedback

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Thank you to Jackson Tye, Aja Wood, Luis Barberis, Mimi Francisco, Brendan Chestnutt, Stephen Arters, Diana Igel, John Bellingham, Cathie McCoy, Mireia Subirana, Bob Wallner, and Athena Leung.

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What advice would you give for handling a critic?