"Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes." - Confucius
Criticism is your friend. Love it, embrace it, cherish it, cultivate it, and most importantly, never fear it.
Constructive criticism is difficult to come by in today's world. Hurt somebody's feelings, and you are liable to receive a lawsuit for pain and suffering. Most people are so cravenly supplicating that even if they know they can help you improve a great deal with a few words, they don't have the balls to tell it to your face and risk being viewed negatively for offering their feedback. In order to liberate the valuable resource of human feedback on your performance, it is critical to adjust your conduct so that others know you welcome appropriate criticism. Equally important is to ditch employees, partners, or friends who don't have the stones to offer helpful suggestions. Surrounding yourself with yes-men only serves to cater to your ego and decelerate your learning curve. Ball-busters, though often stigmatized, are the individuals who can help you improve yourself in order to accomplish difficult, meaningful goals.
I must emphasize that not all criticism is equal in value. Some criticism you will receive is well-founded and constructive. Other criticism can be baseless and negative. Learn to separate the two. Generally, when people you respect offer helpful tips to improve, you should pay attention and consider their suggestions. Take all other advice with a grain of salt (and a shot of tequila, if necessary).
Aim to build camaraderie with other men you respect, and consult with them when you need suggestions on improving yourself or your work. You can push each other to new heights of excellence. When you discover this supportive environment, you will also be in the gratifying position of being able to offer useful advice to members of the group who may have helped you when you were in need.
"I don't think you're a very good friend if you're always being supportive. You also have to add criticism." - Jason Kottke
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