Criticism is something which we don’t like and we don’t want to hear, but if someone is criticising us to bring some good qualities in us then we should accept them and start working for an improvement. Remember, not everyone will help you bring the best out of you, only very few who really care about you will only criticise you in such a way that you tweak yourself, rest of all the other people simply criticise you to push you down, so be very careful while someone is criticising you, it is you who has to decide if it is okay to accept it or not.
Constructive criticism is providing feedback in a manner that acknowledges both the positives and where there is room for improvement instead of solely focusing on the negatives. The focus of providing constructive criticism is offering useful advice that can be implemented for better results. Some might view constructive criticism as a form of positive feedback. The ability to provide constructive criticism is considered a leadership skill. It is said to motivate people instead of causing people to lose morale because of negative feedback. #Imspired
This is because properly delivered constructive criticism focuses on future improvement instead of on current wrongs. The person giving feedback offers clear steps on what can be done differently so that the person receiving feedback has a starting point for betterment. This is the vital difference with plain criticism. Giving criticism that only points out the negatives does not offer the receiver a guiding point on how to improve. Thus, negative criticism is less effective in reaching better results. #Inspired
Giving constructive criticism yields faster improved results than negative criticism because the receiver is given specifics on what needs to change and how to change it. A major part of constructive criticism is to stay positive. When providing feedback that only acknowledges the negatives, the receiver can feel discouraged and unappreciated. By leading with the positives, the receiver of feedback feels acknowledged for the given efforts. The receiver will be more likely to want to listen to feedback if it is given in an encouraging manner. #Inspired
Constructive criticism seeks to reach improved results in a shorter amount of time. Hence, the term is ‘constructive’ instead of breaking down the work based on all the negatives. It is more effective to acknowledge the lesser aspects as room for improvement because it acknowledges that an effort has been made but that the result is not yet optimal. Room for improvement is also friendlier. Receivers of feedback respond better to kind and polite words rather than harsh commentary. Though this may seem a simple case of semantics, in practice, it does make a difference. #Inspired
Feedback that does not offer a starting point for improvement is not helpful. Whenever an aspect of the work delivered is unsatisfactory, be specific about it and give advice on how it can be done better. This way, the receiver knows exactly what to do the next time instead of only knowing what not to do. As a leader, mastering this skill will help reach the desired results quicker because the team is given clear guidance. The receiver of feedback will be more productive when there is already a guideline in place. #Inspired
This final tip is related to the focus on positives. In the workplace, constructive criticism is not about the person but about the work performed. It is important to remember this in the wording and deliverance of the feedback. Getting personal when giving feedback will make the receiver feel attacked. This is not fruitful in establishing healthy work relations. Instead, use phrases that refer to the work instead of the person. Cultivate the capability to both provide and accept the constructive criticisms.
#85th_article #28th_week_2021
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