#64 - The Subtle Art of Giving and Receiving Criticism

If you work in the corporate world, you are probably no stranger to receiving and possibly giving year-end reviews.  If you are a mom, you are also no stranger to molding and shaping your children with expectations, feedback and critiques.    Whether you are on the giving end or the receiving end, feedback and criticism are unavoidable whether it's personally or professionally.  Hearing potentially negative things about yourself or telling someone else how they need to improve can be awkward at anytime of the year.   No matter how hard you work, it's uncomfortable to be evaluated by others as the reviewee or to have to assess someone else as the reviewer.  It puts you in a vulnerable state and can often create a "vulnerability hangover" where you are completely drained emotionally and physically.      Even if you consider yourself someone with a "thick skin", the subtle art of giving and receiving criticism is still a skill that's worth learning.  Whether you're on the receiving end in a formal review from your Tax Manager or on the giving end trying to help your child edit their English paper, knowing how to be the giver and receiver is helpful.   This week I'm going to discuss the difference between feedback and criticism and the subtle art of being on both the receiving end and the giving end.