Personally, I see it as a gift and welcome it.  Doesn’t mean I need to agree with it or use it, but I appreciate it being available.  I tend to skip labeling feedback as “criticism” as that term can be emotionally triggering. 

DON’T LOOK A GIFT HORSE IN THE MOUTH

I also try to avoid giving a shit about how the feedback is given.  The most useful feedback I ever got was someone falling asleep while I was screening something for them. 

THINGS ARE CONSTRUCTIVE IF YOU KNOW HOW TO CONSTRUCT WITH THEM. 

Putting the burden of feedback being “constructive” is on you, not the other person.  While it might be lovely for the other person to analyze your work, break things down clearly and articulate suggestions of how to improve it… that is not realistic in most situations.  And in some ways it doesn’t matter.

The art is in hearing phrases like “I didn’t like that” or “that could have been more interesting” or “the production could have been better” and imaging what those comments might mean in the context in which they were given.  Then construct, if you wish, on top of that.

IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU

Artists make art all the time.  People can  not like something you made.  So what?!?!  Hell, I don’t like 99% of music, films and art that people make.  If you are making something to be shared with the public, get used to people not connecting with it… and them expressing it in ways other than how you wish they would. 

BRING IT ON!

Personally, I try to create an environment where people WANT to give me feedback… good, bad or indifferent because I love receiving gifts.  

WHAT IS YOUR APPROACH?