Criticism

[Mrs. Funk]

So, in all seriousness, I suck at taking criticism.

Any advice for taking professional criticism with grace?

[I.J. Reilly]

As much as you can, don't let it be personal. Try to objectively evaluate the criticism of others and see how you can incorporate that into your actions. Many times, especially when you are offered unsolicited criticism, it can catch you off guard. Try to evaluate the criticism at a later time if you find yourself having an emotional response to it.

[Pheidippides]

So, in all seriousness, I suck at taking criticism.

Any advice for taking professional criticism with grace?

Find another profession?

Seriously, though, it bugged me at first too. I had to come to understand that (1) as a new summer/associate, people really didn't expect much more than a good work ethic and smile and (2) the criticism was going to be a natural part of learning how to do my job correctly; without it, I wasn't going to be of much value. You get used to it after a while.

I would also add that it's much better to receive professional criticism than to not receive it. Many times you are left wanting for feedback on your work without any hope of getting it, short of walking into the partner's office and demanding they give you a review on your latest deal.

[RC Vikings]

It's not personal, it's business.

[byu71]

So, in all seriousness, I suck at taking criticism.

Any advice for taking professional criticism with grace?

Avoid telling the person to F-off.

[Jeff Lebowski]

Just start posting here more frequently. Take a shot at the religion and politics forums. We can help you develop a thick skin.

[Mrs. Funk]

Find another profession?

Seriously, though, it bugged me at first too. I had to come to understand that (1) as a new summer/associate, people really didn't expect much more than a good work ethic and smile and (2) the criticism was going to be a natural part of learning how to do my job correctly; without it, I wasn't going to be of much value. You get used to it after a while.

I would also add that it's much better to receive professional criticism than to not receive it. Many times you are left wanting for feedback on your work without any hope of getting it, short of walking into the partner's office and demanding they give you a review on your latest deal.

Thank you for the insight. I can't say that I expected law to be a warm and fuzzy field of work, but the feedback can be kind of brutal.

[byu71]

Thank you for the insight. I can't say that I expected law to be a warm and fuzzy field of work, but the feedback can be kind of brutal.

I am so very sorry. I just saw Funk and didn't realize it was the better half posting. If you would like I will delete my post.

[Mrs. Funk]

I am so very sorry. I just saw Funk and didn't realize it was the better half posting. If you would like I will delete my post.

No, it's fine. And definitely true. Generally, people do not respond well to being told to f-off.

[byu71]

No, it's fine. And definitely true. Generally, people do not respond well to being told to f-off.

I am old school, I don't think the ladies even know what it means, even though I have had some ladies say it to me.

[Pheidippides]

Thank you for the insight. I can't say that I expected law to be a warm and fuzzy field of work, but the feedback can be kind of brutal.

Yes, it can - but if it's too brutal, it's an indication of the firm and might be a tip-off that you may not want to work there. Although leverage is definitely not in the law student court right now.

I can give you an idea of how feedback works at my firm. Formal reviews, which happen yearly (biannually at first), are pretty smooth, usually - partners call you in, discuss the reviews with you, and then give you improvement areas. This last year, they told me that I had good reviews and people were pleased with my work for my level, and then challenged me to do certain things over the next year. The focus was definitely in making sure that I would develop as an attorney, which is in everybody's best interest.

Informal feedback is just that - informal - and I have been chided for not picking up on X or Y. However, the chiding is generally relatively mild and in intense situations, and only happens once or twice a year. I will also sometimes ask partners to give me feedback on how I did on a specific deal after the deal is done but still fresh in my mind, and most are happy to do so.

The other lawyers may have different feedback mechanisms at their firms. And sometimes feedback may be intense, especially when immediate and at 3 am. I once did verbally undress a first year in a very loud manner (no cursing, which surprised even me) after two days of no sleep - but he deserved it because my complaint was that he was lazy, not that he wasn't doing second year work as a first year (the partner backed me up, thankfully). But even that was going too far, in my mind.

Yelling should not be a consistent method of feedback. Pejorative attacks on the attorney him/herself should not be a consistent method of feedback. Sure, things happen in the heat of battle, but otherwise there should be nothing to fear unless the work is actually substandard. And even then, most people I have worked with would just say the work was substandard and directly and honestly ask for improvement. I would think the other attorneys would agree here, although I do not presume to speak for them.

[UtahDan]

Thank you for the insight. I can't say that I expected law to be a warm and fuzzy field of work, but the feedback can be kind of brutal.

I think you will acclimate. Part of "thinking like a lawyer" is being very direct and getting right to the point or important issue. Once you have done that long enough you will have to guard against being that way in other relationships and not being impatient with your subordinates.

I just think that in your first while in practice you feel retarded and like you don't know how to do anything. This is mostly because at that point in your career you are retarded and don't know how to do anything. This will come with time though. And I echo that you are much better off getting criticism than not. When you stop getting feed back, you better start floating your resume around.

[Donuthole]

I wish I could get more criticism/feedback. I would list that as the main disadvantage of working at a small, uber friendly firm, is that it seems like the partners are almost hesitant to give me feedback. I want it. I need it. I am only a 3rd year attorney, and while I have "mastered" some aspects of my job, I still have so much more to learn and offer.

My suggestion is that you be grateful for the feedback, as you know exactly where you stand, and have a ready list of things you can improve upon.

[Donuthole]

When you stop getting feed back, you better start floating your resume around.

<gulp>

[UtahDan]

Yelling should not be a consistent method of feedback. Pejorative attacks on the attorney him/herself should not be a consistent method of feedback. Sure, things happen in the heat of battle, but otherwise there should be nothing to fear unless the work is actually substandard. And even then, most people I have worked with would just say the work was substandard and directly and honestly ask for improvement. I would think the other attorneys would agree here, although I do not presume to speak for them.

I agree with this. I have never been yelled at nor yelled at anyone. That just isn't our culture.