No one enjoys being criticized. But to succeed, you have to overcome all of your natural instincts and actively seek feedback—both good and bad. Here are some practical ways to toughen your hide and change your perception:
• Use the Olympic-scoring rule. Throughout your life, you'll get a wide range of commentary on how you're doing. Discard your highest and lowest ratings. Bill Gove, past president of the National Speakers Association, said: "In any audience, ignore the 10 percent who think you walk on water and the 10 percent who think you are no good at all. Then listen to the middle 80 percent."
Bash or Boost?
No one enjoys being criticized. But to succeed, you have to overcome all of your natural instincts and actively seek feedback—both good and bad. Here are some practical ways to toughen your hide and change your perception:
• Use the Olympic-scoring rule. Throughout your life, you'll get a wide range of commentary on how you're doing. Discard your highest and lowest ratings. Bill Gove, past president of the National Speakers Association, said: "In any audience, ignore the 10 percent who think you walk on water and the 10 percent who think you are no good at all. Then listen to the middle 80 percent."