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‘Harsh’ criticism changed the course of my career, former exec says: ‘It was feedback I needed to hear’

Why This Matters

Former executive Mita Mallick once received "pretty harsh" feedback about her shyness at work. Here's how she used that criticism to build a successful career.

July 21, 2025
01:05 PM
4 min read
AI Enhanced

What caught my attention is Psychology and RelationshipsPeople in the happiest relationships never do these 4 things, says therapistSuccessIf you always ask yourself five questions, you're more mentally strong than mostWorkSecrets to making a powerful career change—and landing a job you loveGet AheadA millennial founder's best career advice for Gen ZPop Culture and MediaQuinta Brunson isn't surprised by her success: 'I was very determined'Mita Mallick at the TroopHR Retreat.

Additionally, After spending years working as a marketing and HR executive, Mita Mallick is far from a shrinking violet (which is quite significant).

Additionally, In contrast, Now a workplace strategist and bestselling author, Mallick is often invited to speak at workshops, and events.

However, On the other hand, However, those who know her today would be "floored" to learn that she was once too shy to talk in meetings, she says.

Meanwhile, Earlier in her career, Mallick struggled to find her voice at work, amid market uncertainty.

On the other hand, Part of her reticence stemmed from low confidence due to being bullied as a child, she says.

"I carried some of that trauma with me into the workplace, meaning I wanted to stay invisible because I was nervous being a target," she says.

For Mallick, who knew from the beginning that she wanted to be a leader in the workplace, learning how to speak up was vital to her career.

Some less-than-diplomatic back from a former boss was the push she needed to conquer her shyness.

On the other hand, A "wallflower" at workIn a moment Mallick says is "seared into memory," her manager at a Fortune 500 company pulled her into his office after a talent review meeting.

According to Mallick, he had some "pretty harsh" back to. Because of her shyness, "no one knows what you do here," he told her. On the other hand, "You're a wallflower," he continued.

"You don't speak up. However, The lights are on, but I don't know if anyone is, amid market uncertainty.

Moreover, "Moreover, Mallick's supervisor didn't feel that she had "potential" to grow into a leadership role at the company, in today's financial world. "I was devastated," she recalls.

She left work, went and ate a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream.

Furthermore, After letting herself "wallow" for the rest of the day, Mallick vowed to imve her communication skills, in today's market environment.

"He didn't give it with a lot of kindness, but it was back I needed to hear," she says.

"I don't the way he did it, but I'm thankful for it"Today, Mallick doesn't even break a sweat before presenting a keynote speech, she says.

However, becoming comfortable with speaking up took years of work (remarkable data), in today's market environment. Nevertheless, "I was not born with the gift of gab," she says (remarkable data).

On the other hand, "I practiced it was a sport. "Before every presentation, Mallick rehearses what she's going to say while she's in the car or in the shower (remarkable data).

One helpful trick she recommends is to tell a co-worker that you're planning to speak during a meeting beforehand as a form of accountability, given current economic conditions.

"I always say, I'm not gonna be the loudest voice in the room, but I will have impact," she says, in today's market environment.

Though it was certainly painful, receiving that back from her supervisor marked a turning point in her career (an important development). "I don't the way he did it, but I'm thankful for it," she says.

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