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Everyone who has been employed has had to deal with
negative feedback or rejection. Because we tend to
merge our identities with our career, it can be a
personal blow to our self-esteem when we are
criticized at work. Whether it's a job rejection,
poor performance appraisal, or office gossip, it
doesn't usually bring out our best side.
I
have to admit, I've never been a particularly
organized person. I've been to so many classes that
I could teach one. These issues have followed me
from school to work - never going unnoticed. At one
point, the work FEEDBACK would make me break out in
a cold sweat.
Luckily, I was given the opportunity to prove
myself. With an amazing assistant to keep me on
track, I was able to excel. However, if I had let
the negative feedback get to me, I wouldn't have
been given an opportunity to shine. So what do you
do when confronted with criticism you don't really
want to hear? Follow the tips below to come out with
your pride and your career intact.
1.
Stop and listen. Our first instinct in this
situation is to go on the defensive. Before you
start churning out excuses, take a deep breath and
objectively listen to the criticism being offered.
Is there any truth to what is being said?
2.
Keep things professional. Don't even think about
retaliating. Our second instinct is to list every
fault of the person responsible for inflicting this
agony - usually to anyone who will listen. "As if
she's perfect!" It's just an instinct, not the right
course of action and it makes you look petty and
immature.
3.
Try not to take it personally. Yes, it stings but it
doesn't reflect your value as a person. Keep it in
perspective - it's work and constructive criticism
comes with the territory.
4.
Learn from your mistakes. If you didn't get the
promotion you applied for, ask yourself if you were
thoroughly prepared. If you haven't been performing
at the expected level, think about changes you can
make to be more effective. Ask for feedback (yes,
more feedback!) so that you can improve. If you are
fighting an uphill battle like I was, consider
accessing outside resources.
5.
Remember that you are in good company. Even famous
people have encountered failure (sometimes publicly)
and managed to persevere. Here are just a few -
Albert Einstein, Lucille Ball, Alexander Graham
Bell, Clint Eastwood, Michael Jordan, Charles
Schulz, Mickey Mantle, Malcolm Forbes, and Woody
Allen.
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you want to develop a comprehensive career plan that
leverages your talents so you can climb the
corporate ladder faster, but don't know how?
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Jill Frank is "The
Promotion Coach." Get her FREE report, "7
Unintentional Actions That Will Slow Your Climb Up
the Corporate Ladder" and FREE advice on corporate
advancement at
http://www.leverageyourtalent.com.
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