By Dr Wilfred Isak April
Each one of us has probably been criticized by someone in our lives. I urged you to see criticism as feedback. Feedback is crucial especially if you are an entrepreneur. It can certainly improve the performance of your business, develop new skills and competencies, and solve problems which may impact your bottom line.
As we are all aware in Namibia, some people do not take feedback positively. Think about the performance evaluations done in most organizations. Most workers feel that performance evaluations are inaccurate and unfair. Companies try their utmost best to address problems by training leaders to give feedback effectively. The problem arises when the receiver is not able to absorb what is said. I know all of us have to make sense of what we are hearing, and decide when we will choose to change.
Namibians, if we wish to become entrepreneurs and change agents we should stop treating criticism as something that must be pushed and instead improve our ability to pull, and see things as they are.
Let’s briefly look at what makes receiving criticism so hard. As human beings we all have needs, and there is usually a tension between two core human needs – the need to grow, and the need to be accepted just the way we are. Most of us take a small suggestion as being treated badly or feeling profoundly threatened. I would strongly advise you not to take everything personally, if you want to be a successful in business. When someone criticizes you, try to understand the other person’s point of view and learn to experiment with different ways of doing things, as it might be very beneficial in the long run.
How can we as Namibians become better at receiving criticism? Firstly it is important that you know your tendencies: Do you defend yourself on the facts (“This is not the best way to do it”), or strike back (“You of all people is criticizing me”)? or do you prefer to step back and think through what you have just heard. Secondly try to distinguish between the “what” from the “whom”. If the feedback is wise it really does not matter who delivers it. However, for most people it does. To ensure that from happening separate the message from the messenger.
Thirdly look for a coach as to how you can improve your performance. Coaching allows you to play at a much higher level. Furthermore it is important that you ask for just one thing. Don’t invite criticism with one big question like: Do you have feedback for me? For example: Ask people with whom you work closely what is the one thing they would wish to see you improve? Sometimes the people might tell you behaviour or the most important thing that comes to their mind. I am convinced that either way you will get valuable life lessons which could take you to greater heights. Criticism is not very easy to take for most of us. We all know even when the person delivering it wants you to succeed it can trigger unpleasant emotions.
Some readers might be wondering how they can best deal with “emotional vampires” in their organizations. Emotional vampires are people who drain your energy all the time. They have nothing good to say about you. If you see them in a supermarket after work hours, you prefer to move in a different direction so that you do not need to meet them. Remember you are not alone. You might feel misjudged, ill-tested and threatened, but your growth depends on your ability to pull value from criticism.
Criticism may be good or bad, but it is very important for your own development as an owner of a business or even as an employee. If you are determined to learn from criticism, no one can stop you.
Allow me to leave you with these few lines: There are three kinds of people in this world. Those who only wish to see the GOOD in everyone and turn a blind eye to the bad. Others will only see the bad and never see the good; they will forever doubt what you do. Then there is the last distinctive group who will see you with open eyes and open ears and see the real you. My sincere advice is to choose the latter. See things for what they are and listen to what others say.
• Dr. Wilfred Isak April is a Unam graduate and holds a PhD- Entrepreneurship (New Zealand). He lectures in Leadership, Organizational Behaviour and Entrepreneurship at the University of Namibia.