Have you ever struggled taking constructive criticism like I do? I just found a clever way to learn from it and wanted to share it with you.

Last Monday I gave a presentation and felt I had done a really good job. But when it was over, a colleague asked if I could handle his honest feedback. You probably know what was next.

He proceeded to tear me apart. Normally, I would try to defend my actions. But this time, I tried to find additional reasons on why he was right! And with that little trick, I was taking the feedback in stride and finding ways to improve.

The next time you are being criticized, try the same strategy. Don’t think of ways to defend yourself, instead think of ways to support the criticism. It may do the same of you as me and open yourself up for big time improvement.

Wishing you a wonderful 2011.

Michelle