Warady's Riffs, Raves and Rants on Marketing

Agreed! Me too.

That is what these times are all about: New and Improved...and Improving. Things are changing and we all need to adjust, adapt and change with the new environment...and if you have to be changing anyway, you might as well improve.

Some folks know this, but it is worth repeating. As you ask for and listen to criticism, remember that the comments made say just as much about the critiquer as you. It is part of the context. For example: When I was recently called "old-fashioned", I noted that this came from my 12-year-old niece, who I love dearly and whose opinion of me is very important to me. I noted it and took it seriously, but recognized the perspective it came from and the nature of our relationship when I gaged how I should adapt. If one client or another had said that, I'd have done the same thing. I know that compared to some colleagues and competitors I'm a little behind the times and compared to others, I'm ahead of our times...or more to the point, ahead of their times. Sometimes I have to adjust.

All that said, accepting stinking criticism graciously is easier said than done. Being told that you aren't perfect can hurt. It helps to think of it as valuable feedback. It also helps to recognize your own strengthens and weaknesses, and, I repeat, the perspective of your audience/critiquer, beforehand so there are fewer surprises.

Asking for and listening to criticism gets easier with experience; it's tougher when you are a newbie, but important to improvement and ultimately success.

Karen, thanks! What a great post! Your comments are perfect. I too get called "old fashioned" and yet I think I'm so hip, and with it. So I too look at the context and who is pointing out my deficiencies. But at the same time, it still hurts, and still makes me want to be better, and causes me to strive for improvement. I hope I never stop listening, and never stop reacting.

Thanks for adding additional perspective to this issue.