Being able to handle and learn from criticism is an important trait to have in order to be successful in our society.
Most of us will leave university life and hopefully find a great job that we love. Most of us will receive some type of feedback that requires us to change how we perform at that job and how we react and absorb that critique is important. Right now we get that feedback in the grades we receive on papers and assignments. It’s less direct, less personal. It doesn’t feel so much like an attack on our integrity or a maneuver by an antagonist, but an evaluation of our effort.
We can use any number of excuses as to why we may be less inclined to accept that criticism. The professor is a tough grader. He doesn’t know anything. I was too tired when I wrote this from working on a different assignment.
That’s fine. We can make excuses for ourselves now if we so choose. But as adults, criticism becomes more direct and blunt. It isn’t a percentage of approval at the top of the paper. Handling those situations with grace and character are the true measure of maturity and something that no one can claim to perfection and all must seek to improve upon.
When the Torch receives letters to the editor, like the one on page 16, it forces us to review our thoughts and from that, we improve. It doesn’t have to do with agreement or being correct; simply put, it allows us to greater solidify or even change our beliefs and learn.
Players receive commands and orders from coaches who seek continued improvement in their performance. We may even fault our leaders for not being as active or sharing our same opinions, but the infrequency of backlash they may place on those criticizers demonstrates exceptional fortitude.
We could all do with a little more practice when it comes to accepting and interpreting criticism, especially if we ever run into a time when we’re giving some of our own to others.