Are you the type of person who can take criticism well? Or, do you crumble under the weight of someone’s opinion of you?
Whether it’s constructive or not, dealing with any kind of criticism can be tough. But, there are ways to make it a little easier.
Here are some tips to help you deal with unwarranted criticism.
1. Don’t take it personally
This is easier said than done, but try not to take the criticism to heart. It’s not about you as a person, it’s about the situation at hand. If someone is unhappy with your work, don’t take it as a personal attack. Instead, use it as an opportunity to improve.
2. Try to see the positive
Even if the criticism is negative, try to find a positive in it. Maybe there’s something you can learn from the situation. Maybe the person critiquing you has a different perspective that can help you see things in a new light. Whatever it is, look for the silver lining. And if you feel like
3. Respond calmly
It can be tempting to lash out when you’re feeling attacked, but it’s important to remain calm. If you respond with anger or defensiveness, it will only make the situation worse. Take a deep breath and try to respond in a rational way.
4. Thank the person for their feedback
This might seem counterintuitive, but thank the person for their feedback. Whether you agree with it or not, they took the time to give it to you. Showing gratitude will diffuse the situation and make the person critiquing you more likely to be open to hearing your side.

5. Take a step back
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the criticism, take a step back. Take some time to yourself to process what was said. Once you’ve had a chance to calm down, you can address the situation in a more rational way.
6. Look to the future
If you struggle to process the criticism you have received, try to focus on the outcome rather than the current criticism and look at ways you can improve in the future.
7. Get a second opinion
If someone has criticised something you have been working on, try asking another person for their honest opinion to see if they feel the same way. They may agree with some parts of the criticism, but not all. This may help you put the criticism in perspective and find it easier to process.
Dealing with criticism is never easy, but these tips can help you manage it in a productive way. Remember, it’s not about you as a person – it’s about the situation at hand. Use the criticism as an opportunity to learn and grow, and you’ll be better for it in the end. We have put together a checklist for what to do when you receive unwarranted criticism both in daily life and in your place of work, including some extra tips for each of those specific situations. By using the steps listed here and on the checklist, we hope you will be able to deal with unwarranted criticism more easily. Thanks for reading!