Learning to Accept Criticism When Presenting
Whenever I conduct workshops, I create an environment that is conducive to support and encouragement.
Going to good to great is a process in which we accept constructive criticism.
Well known speaker Patricia Fripp emphasized that to grow as a good speaker you need to be open to nit-picking suggestions. By itself, a suggestion focusing on one of the fine points of delivery may be small and may seem insignificant, but added with other tiny suggestions, the end
result can be huge.
The horse that receives three times the money for winning by a nose. The golfer who wins by just one putt, receives double the prize money. The sales person who wins the contract gets all the money. The speaker who is just a little bit better may be the only one who is offered the chance to speak. These common examples serve as reminders of how small things make a big difference when we’re considering competitive advantage.
I must admit when I first began speaking I hated feedback as I always took it personally. I especially hated criticism from people who were a worst speaker than I was. The key for the speaker is to do more than thrive on feedback. The speaker must seek out feedback. And internalize feedback. Mastery is about the little things. It’s about practicing the fundamentals until they become a part of you.
Resolve now that you will accept feedback no matter what and take it one board as a spring board to constant and never-ending improvement.
Feedback sometimes feels repetitive. Suggestions nag at us. That’s because old habits are hard to beat. We need to understand that feedback is our key to growth. The better we become, the more refined and “picky” that feedback needs to be.
The feedback is not the thorn, it’s the rose, a gift. It’s a building block to greatness. It prevents you from stagnating at the level of a good performer. It will put you a step ahead of your competition.
As a speaker, that tiny suggestion may be just the edge you need to make a difference in people’s lives. Or that minor tweak might be what makes your speech memorable. Or that tiny “criticism” may make a difference in your bank account.
Learn to ask for feedback on the tiny things that can sharpen your talk. Not only demand the nit-picky suggestions…expect them.
Always be open to new perspectives. Then be ready to take your speaking to the next level.
