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Avoid criticism and complaints from "summary" of How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
In order to be successful in any situation, it is important to avoid criticism and complaints. This applies to any relationship or interaction, whether professional or personal. Being positive and avoiding criticism can help one to build strong relationships and have a successful outcome.- When someone is critical of you or your work, resist the knee-jerk reaction to become defensive and critical yourself. Instead, remain calm and take a step back to gain perspective.
- Rather than defend yourself at all costs against criticism, be honest about where you could have done better or accept responsibility if it is deserved. This honesty shows the other person that you respect their opinion, even if you disagree.
- When faced with criticism or complaints, don't try to argue or reason with the person out of anger. Since responding offensively will only put them on guard and likely make matters worse.
- Criticism can also provide a valuable opportunity to learn and grow. Evaluate each criticism objectively and determine if there are certain elements in which the person is right – no matter how small these elements might be.
- The golden rule for avoiding criticism and complaints is to approach people in a positive, understanding way. Respect their opinions as much as possible, and try not to automatically dismiss any criticism that emerges.
- If someone continues to be negative despite your best efforts, politely excuse yourself and indicate that you welcome further discussion at a later time. By allowing yourself this separation, you can avoid escalating the situation.
