Learning to Absorb Constructive Criticism

Recently my boss told me that I am "Too trusting"! He mentioned that there was a process that was not being checked thoroughly enough and that it needed to be fixed immediately. He even threw my own policy of "Trust but Verify" at me as if I had never mentioned it before to him or anyone else in the organization. After coming out of the Army, that policy is second nature, but I'm admittedly imperfect. I agreed that the problem was there and that it was my responsibility to fix it, but I didn't agree that my overall performance was poor or that I could be classified as "too trusting" based on that one thing. So I did what any human being would do, I took it personally and outlined all the positive things I had done to help the organization in the short time that I had been there. I gave him solid facts on the growth that had occurred while I had been in charge and then went back to work somewhat angered that I had to defend myself. Then I went home with the criticism still on my mind.

As I sat on the couch thinking about the incident, I realized that I was wrong to feel the way I did and that the issue did need attention. I also realized that he had addressed the right person because it was clearly my job to fix the problem. I realized that he was really only criticizing one area of my performance and not my overall personality (even though that is not how it was stated). Then I brainstormed solutions right away, wrote them down, and prepared them for the next day to present a solution to the boss. I presented the rough draft of the solution in a policy memorandum format and worked together with the boss to write and re-write the policy until it was ready. We published it the same day.

I re-learned two things that day: First, criticism is good because it shows you areas that you have neglected (intentionally or unintentionally) that need attention - so I should take all criticism seriously and not take it personally. Second, a good leader says things in a way that will motivate a person and inspire positive change.