Here's an interesting observation: if one feels attacked or singled out when criticized by a loved one or superior in the workplace, it might feel like an unusual amount of sensitivity, like "I'm not normally this touchy..hmm..." So that inordinate sensitivity might actually be coming from an inward place, that is, a desire to please others or gain their approval (that seems to me one of those things that should be obvious but seems quite a surprise, anyway, if true). From there I guess we might return to an adage closer to the source, as it were, and reiterate the thought that it's important to have approval and validation from within one's self first, and then have any of that from anyone else just be icing on the cake.