President Xi Jinping pointed out, “We must cultivate a mindset and demeanor that allow us to humbly accept criticism. We should be open-minded and sincere in accepting it, making corrections when necessary and using it as motivation when none exists.” How one handles criticism is a test of a party member or cadre’s character and temperament, and it also reflects their party spirit and work style. On the path forward, we should approach criticism with a correct attitude, carefully dissect the flavors it contains, and truly transform the beneficial values it embodies into growth nutrients, thereby achieving the goals of rectifying errors and promoting work.
On June 3, 1941, the Shaanxi, Gansu, and Ningxia Border Region Government held a conference of county chiefs to plan the collection of public grain for that year. On that day, there was heavy rain and thunder, and a loud clap of thunder killed one of the comrades attending the meeting. After the lightning strike incident became public, a farmer, resentful of the public grain collection policy, made some inflammatory remarks. The Border Region’s security department promptly arrested the farmer. Upon learning about this, Comrade Mao Zedong immediately demanded that the individual be released. He then conducted thorough research and reflection on the issue, ultimately adjusting the policy to effectively reduce the burden on the people. This widely known story in the history of the Party reveals a simple yet profound truth: when criticism is earnestly accepted and assimilated, it can transform into a powerful force for advancing the cause.

I tasted the bitter truth of direct criticism and rejoiced at receiving feedback. The initial reaction one experiences from criticism is akin to biting into a piece of rhizoma coptidis – the bitterness is raw, sharp, and directly hits the heart. This bitterness often stems from feelings of embarrassment upon being exposed to flaws and inadequacies, or anxiety over the rejection of one’s work efforts. Yet, it is precisely this intense bitterness that constitutes the first layer of the flavor of criticism. Recall that criticism is bitter precisely because it points out problems and touches upon painful areas. In 1988, Mr. Deng Xiaoping, during a meeting, habitually lit a cigarette. A delegate present immediately wrote a note: “Please refrain from smoking on the podium, Mr. Deng.” Deng Xiaoping, upon receiving the note, humbly accepted the criticism and promptly extinguished the cigarette. This incident has since become a cherished anecdote. However, in real life, some individuals become uncomfortable at the mere mention of criticism, either by actively avoiding it or becoming enraged upon receiving it, refusing to swallow this bitter medicine. They fail to recognize that failing to properly address criticism and shy away from problems essentially amounts to allowing weaknesses to persist and refusing personal growth. A correct approach is to refrain from hastily defending oneself when faced with criticism, instead, one should objectively examine the criticism itself, reflect on one’s own actions and words, and calmly accept this direct exposure of shortcomings. This acceptance paves the way for subsequent reflection and improvement.

There is a lingering bitterness in reflecting on past events and drawing lessons from them. If the bitterness of facing criticism head-on is immediate and fleeting, then the bitterness of reflecting on past events is prolonged and profound. This bitterness arises from self-reflection when acknowledging one’s own thought errors and inadequacies, stemming from deep inquiry and introspection into the root causes of problems. Compared to bitterness, this flavor lingers longer in the mouth, making it more intriguing and more challenging for one’s character and resolve. Responding to criticism only superficially will allow hidden problems to fester and ultimately lead to greater losses. Only by immersing oneself in reflection and tracing back to the origins can one truly learn from past mistakes, grow from each experience, and ensure continuous improvement in both thought and work. Confucius once praised his favored student Yan Hui for his virtue of never repeating the same mistake. This exceptional quality, in reality, was Yan Hui’s secret weapon: his profound self-reflection and self-awareness in correcting his mistakes. To fully appreciate the lingering bitterness of criticism is to understand not only what has been done but also why it was done, truly grasping and comprehending the underlying reasons and issues, and drawing lessons through repeated self-examination, thereby ensuring continuous progress in thought and improvement in work.

I have come to understand the sweet aftertaste of targeted rectification and continuous improvement. Criticism is like an unripe olive; at first, it is bitter and unbearable, making one instinctively want to spit it out immediately. However, if one can patiently chew it thoroughly, a faint sweetness will emerge. This is why ancient people referred to olives as “fruit of advice.” It is not frightening to be criticized for mistakes and errors, but the key is to do a good job with the “next step” following the criticism. If one only tastes the bitterness of criticism but fails to translate it into action for rectification, then mistakes will continue to occur, and one will naturally miss out on the sweet aftertaste. During the Korean War, the 38th Army was severely criticized by Peng Dehuai for not arriving at the designated location on time, which affected the overall outcome of the campaign. In the second campaign, the 38th Army learned from its mistakes, boldly maneuvered through obstacles, and decisively cut off the enemy’s retreat routes, thereby turning the entire situation around. After the war, Peng Dehuai excitedly sent a congratulatory message. From being criticized to earning military honors, from feeling ashamed to showing courage afterward, the sweetness of this success is the reward for thoroughly chewing and understanding the criticism. When faced with the issues pointed out by criticism, one should consciously develop practical and solid measures for rectification, ensuring that problems are not resolved until they are fully addressed and that rectification efforts are not completed until they are thorough. Through targeted rectification, problem-solving, and self-improvement, the bitterness of criticism can gradually be transformed into the sweetness of growth. (Looking into the New Era)