Hearing criticism is never fun or pleasant. However, it is still a good thing – at least in some occasions – because it lets you know if you did something right or wrong. No matter what your job in Myanmar, or in any part of the world, may be you will be subjected to criticism. It may sound harsh but it is both healthy and helpful to accept a stream of criticisms during your career to help you grow.

Getting criticized by your boss is never fun. However, there are ways to help you make the most out of the situation. It is possible to turn this seemingly bad thing into a positive experience. Here’s how: 

Summarize the Criticism

After your boss criticized you, pause for a minute and reflect on what she meant by that. When your hurt feelings have subsided, repeat in your mind what you think. This way, you will be able to turn her harsh words into something more positive. If your boss said your performance is poor lately, you can turn it around as ‘I need to find a new work strategy to improve my performance’. Doing this will distance you from taking the criticism personally and help you understand what your boss’ real message is. 

Understand the Boss’ Intentions

Try to understand your boss before getting upset at her. Is she worried about your performance and is simply trying to help you? Was she stressed and had too much to handle, making her say things she didn’t fully mean? Keep all of these things in mind as you frame your response to prevent turning the situation negative. However, if it seems like your boss is criticizing you to make you feel bad about yourself then that is a different story. That’s called micromanaging; you may want to start considering finding out ways to deal with a micromanaging boss. 

Rein In Your Emotions

While your boss is giving you criticism, do your best to hold your feelings in. Sudden criticism invokes your natural reactions, which can range from disappointment to genuine rage. You may feel that your abilities are being questioned or that your boss is out to get you. Before you allow yourself to feel such negative emotions, take a moment to calm down. Even if the criticism was personally directed at you, try to think that it is your actions and performance that are being criticized and not you as a person. Try also to see the situation in an objective way, instead of a subjective one. This will help you rein your emotions so you can respond effectively. 

Explain Your Perspective

Once the boss has finished giving her side and you have calmed yourself down, then it’s time to give your own explanation. Your goal is not to be defensive; instead it should be to explain your own view of things. Explain the factors why you are having difficulty at work or why your output was like that. Is the work culture hindering you from doing your best? Did you fail to understand the instruction? Be specific with your problem so you can resolve things out with your boss.

Not all criticisms are pleasant to the ears. Keep in mind that not all supervisors can give constructive and positive criticism. It is inevitable that you will hear something that might hurt your feelings, but if you know how to properly and professionally respond, you will be able to overcome the negativity.