How To Handle Criticism At Internship?
Handling criticism at an offline or online internship can be challenging. But if you handle it well, constructive workplace criticism can become a valuable tool for enhancing your performance. In this blog, we have defined how to deal with constructive criticism about your work.
Tips to handle constructive workplace criticism
There are many steps you can take to make the most of constructive criticism from your mentors in your unpaid or paid internship. As an intern, you need to understand that criticism is part of the work environment. Therefore you need to be strong and know how to react when you get one. The next time you receive constructive criticism at work, try this :
1. Recognizing the good intention behind it
The first thing to do when receiving constructive criticism is to recognize its intent. During your onsite or online internship sometimes your manager might criticise your work but do not take it to your heart. For some interns, it might act as a booster but for some, it might discourage them. Remember always to assume the best intentions from the people providing criticism. They mean their constructive criticism to help you, not to embarrass or upset you. It may taste like an unpleasant-tasting vitamin supplement but trust me it is designed to be good for you.
2. Freeing yourself from emotional responses
Having an emotional reaction to hearing criticism is natural. It’s OK to want to defend your choices and explain your actions. Even if you are doing work from an internship you might get to hear some professional criticism from a colleague. It is better not to react and prove them wrong through your work.
Constructive criticism is meant to help you improve your future work. Therefore, there’s no need to try to explain your past decisions or deeds. Once you are aware that the criticism is well-intentioned and you don’t need to defend or explain anything.
3. Actively listening to hear the constructive criticism
Assuming good intent and does not need a defensive reaction. Instead, listen to the criticism carefully. Concentrate on what’s being said and how it relates to your work. Engage in active listening, repeating back what you hear for confirmation. Developing active listening also helps to understand clearly and give time how to think to solve the problem.
4. Staying objective and not taking it personally
Your online internship program is to explore and learn. Another way to professionally handle criticism is to remember that it’s not personal. Workplace criticism is not focused on you as an individual. The people offering it aren’t doubting your value as a person. Therefore, having empathy for the person giving feedback allows reinforcement that the discussion is about the work, not the personalities involved.
5. Appreciating the offer to help you succeed
Your attitude about accepting feedback is vital. For instance, if you see criticism as an unnecessary annoyance, you will definitely ignore it. Select to see criticism as an offer of help. An intern doing an online internship program with a stipend should appreciate the feedback given to him/her to improve. When you consider constructive criticism as assistance it becomes something to look forward to.
6. Plan a follow-up session to mark your progress
A crucial part of making the most of the criticism you get is to plan a time to check back in and review your progress. After you have spent 1 week of your onsite or online internship, it’s time to check your progress. Set a calendar reminder with your boss and track your progress. Also, be prepared to share examples of how you have implemented the feedback.
Constructive criticisms are part of the corporate world. They can come from your managers, co-workers, or more, make sure you take them positively. Likewise, internships are a platform to make you industry-ready.
If you are looking for an online internship ULead is here for you. The internship is in the sales and marketing domain. We are looking for spirited individuals who are looking to challenge the way the system works. If you believe that exceptional and well-rounded education is the way to change the world, we are on the same page.