Handling criticism is a difficult but necessary part of your private or professional life. In the workplace, you will frequently have to hear and digest criticism from a supervisor, manager, or other coworkers. To use their criticism to improve, you need to know how to listen, understand and apply their suggestions. In life, you will hear and digest criticism from your family and friends. Taking constructive criticism from others is required to get to the next level. There is only one way to avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.