{"id":798,"date":"2020-08-21T18:33:21","date_gmt":"2020-08-22T01:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/?p=798"},"modified":"2020-08-21T21:04:22","modified_gmt":"2020-08-22T04:04:22","slug":"5-tips-to-take-criticism-and-improve-your-contracting-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/contractorslicensingschools.com\/blog\/5-tips-to-take-criticism-and-improve-your-contracting-business\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips to Take Criticism and Improve Your Contracting Business"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Although it may feel awful to hear things about you or your business that you don\u2019t like, it\u2019s very important for your long-term success. There will be points in time when clients or other contractors give you constructive feedback that is designed to help you in the future. Whether you can turn it into an improvement is up to you. Here are five things you can do.<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Listen Closely
    \n<\/strong>A lot of people participate in a conversation mostly for the things they have to say, not for the things they have to hear. If a client or a fellow contractor wants to give you some timely criticism, you should listen to all of it. It\u2019s hard to sit quietly and not interrupt someone who is telling you something that you didn\u2019t do particularly well. But if you can get through this part, you\u2019re more likely to have a positive result. If nothing, it lets you receive the information without the burden of feeling like you need to craft a response off-the-cuff.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. Avoid Arguing
      \n<\/strong>Nobody is excited to learn what they may have done wrong on a project. But as tempting as it might be to correct what you see as someone\u2019s misinterpretation of your work or processes, it\u2019s better if you keep it to yourself. It is entirely possible that someone is criticizing you for something that is a matter of opinion or even inaccurate. But by arguing with them, all you do is make it into a bigger issue. In most cases, what people are looking for when they give you feedback is validation that you have heard it. Arguing with them about the validity of their claims does not meet that condition.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      1. Get Clarification
        \n<\/strong>Once you have allowed someone to finish what they have to say, you may realize that their feedback is unclear. Sometimes, people are so worried about causing a conflict that they may give criticism that is so vague that you can\u2019t actually do anything with it. If you have the opportunity and you feel like you can do it without arguing with them, ask for clarification on one or two specific points. Ask questions like:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n