Giving and getting criticism is necessary if we want to see continuous improvement. Regardless of the role you are in, there are ways to give and receive criticism effectively. Regardless of the role you are in, there are ways to give and receive criticism effectively. An important part of leadership is to provide constructive criticism by giving feedback on things that can be improved and issues that can be avoided.

Feedback is best received when given with empathy in the spirit of helping others and coming from a person who is trusted and respected. Criticism should state the specific behavior that can be improved. It should specify the improved behavior (which may need to be taught). By far the best way to give criticism is to get the other person to ask for it without putting them down. Show genuine concern for them.

Criticism that moves upward is a different matter. Even when bosses ask, they usually don’t want to hear personal criticism. Criticism from your boss, peers, or employees is painful—the truth can hurt. People do not really enjoy being criticized, it is important to keep three things in mind. More often than not, your boss and others want to help you succeed—they are helping you improve.

Don’t take it personally. It’s not really about you as a person, it’s about a specific behavior you can change to improve. Even if you disagree, there is usually some truth about your performance that you can improve. Keep the phrase “no pain, no gain” in mind when it comes to criticism. Seek honest feedback and use it to improve your performance.