Criticism and expectations
Is what people think about you always different from what you think about yourself? Are you the biggest critique of yourself or are others? I guess it depends on the situation. Like women would criticize themselves the most when it comes to how they look in the mirror but would be defensive if someone were to comment on their skills as a mom.
I had a meeting with a client today and this blog is a result of that. Without getting into specifications, they told me we expect better from you because this is what you are known for. We come to you because you are recommended in this field. I started pondering and realized, all the while when I was thinking I was doing a good job, the other person was thinking she needs to be doing better than this!! What was good for me for not good enough for them. I guess it all boils down to expectations. When the expectations are high the outcome is expected to be higher. When that doesn't happen disappointment sets in. If your Manager thinks you are capable of meeting 5 targets, 3 is not good enough, even if 3 is the standard expected. If you expect to score 100/100 in Maths a 99 would not suffice, even if it has your parents beaming with pride.
Bottom line is we are the hardest critique of ourselves but find it hard to fathom criticism (constructive or otherwise) when it comes from others. How many of us take ctriticism in our stride and try to gain from it? It's easier said than done. Besides how can one decipher the real intentions behind a criticism? Is it genuine concern, is it vengeance, is it jealousy or is it just simply a feedback?
I had a meeting with a client today and this blog is a result of that. Without getting into specifications, they told me we expect better from you because this is what you are known for. We come to you because you are recommended in this field. I started pondering and realized, all the while when I was thinking I was doing a good job, the other person was thinking she needs to be doing better than this!! What was good for me for not good enough for them. I guess it all boils down to expectations. When the expectations are high the outcome is expected to be higher. When that doesn't happen disappointment sets in. If your Manager thinks you are capable of meeting 5 targets, 3 is not good enough, even if 3 is the standard expected. If you expect to score 100/100 in Maths a 99 would not suffice, even if it has your parents beaming with pride.
Bottom line is we are the hardest critique of ourselves but find it hard to fathom criticism (constructive or otherwise) when it comes from others. How many of us take ctriticism in our stride and try to gain from it? It's easier said than done. Besides how can one decipher the real intentions behind a criticism? Is it genuine concern, is it vengeance, is it jealousy or is it just simply a feedback?
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