How should you accept a colleague's criticism?

Accepting a colleague's criticism is like getting advice from a friend when you're trying to build a better sandcastle.

Imagine you’re building a tower with blocks, and your friend says, “That block doesn’t fit well there.” At first, it might feel like they’re pointing out your mistake. But instead of getting upset, you can think, “Maybe I can make it stronger if I try a different block.” That’s how accepting criticism works, it helps you improve.

Criticism is like a hint, not a shout. Your colleague isn’t trying to make you feel bad; they’re trying to help you do better. Just like your friend with the sandcastle, they might see something you didn’t notice.

Sometimes people get defensive when someone points out their mistakes. But if you take a deep breath and say “Thanks for telling me,” it can turn into a chance to learn, just like when you try a new block and make your tower even cooler!