<h2>If someone doesn't like your work, <strong>don't take offense</strong>. Even if you feel the criticism is unfair, don't react negatively as you can irreparably damage your reputation.</h2><p>A good professional can take criticism and not respond as if it's an attack. At the very least, they can leave with their reputation intact.</p>

Don't take it personally

<h2>Taking criticism can be a hard thing. At some point, you will find someone who wants to tell you how to do things better.</h2><p>But <strong>feedback can also be a good thing</strong> as you can use the criticism to give you a competitive edge.</p>

Criticism as a competitive edge

<h2>Listening and acting on honest feedback will give you insight into what's good and what can improve.</h2><p><strong>Make use of that information to improve</strong> your performance, service, or event.</p>

Feedback makes your product better

<h2><strong>Constructive criticism can steer you from bad practices towards better ones.</strong></h2><p>Try to distance yourself from what you're providing and look at it objectively. If you can take a step back, you might see how you can improve.</p>

Feedback forces you towards good practices

<h2>If a customer tells only you how to give them a great service, that's information that only you've got.</h2><p><strong>That puts you at an advantage over others in your sector</strong>. Find ways to draw that information from your clients or audiences.</p>

Criticism can give you an advantage

<h2>How you respond to criticism is vital. Try to avoid getting into an argument. Instead, <strong>lead the exchange into a discussion on how to solve the issue</strong>. You'll waste less time guessing how to fix things. <em>"So, you'd like to change the design - what would you say is the main thing that ought to be different?"</em></h2><p><strong>Turn your words into action to demonstrate that you can listen to feedback.</strong></p>

How to respond to criticism

<h2>Criticism means someone wants to tell you <strong>what you're doing for them</strong>. It is an opportunity to learn more about the person and change them into satisfied customers or audience members.</h2><p>Take some time before you respond. Someone who can take and act on criticism means they can work towards a better outcome.</p>

Criticism is a form of communication

<p><strong>Creative Boom: </strong>criticism can be a good thing and arts organisations should use it to improve what they offer</p>

Feedback forces you towards good practices

Constructive criticism can steer you from bad practices towards better ones.

Similar ideas to Feedback forces you towards good practices

Feedback forces you towards good practices

Step 3: Focus On What You Can Do Right Now

2. They take feedback