If you use criticism to bash or undermine, it will be harmful. If you dismiss criticism without reflection it will be useless. But if you assess criticism objectively and without emotion, you can discover what's useful to you, and shrug the rest off.

14. Use Criticism Well

To criticize constructively, frame it in a way that the focus is on the change that needs to occur and the benefits of implementing it without resorting to accusations or derogatory tone and comments.

1. Focus On How To Change

Before delivering criticism, consider your emotional state and how the feedback to be delivered impacts all involved. Manage your emotions beforehand to obtain the desired outcome.

7. Use Emotional Intelligence

State your intention, why you’re the one sharing this feedback and how you are willing to help the person learn from it. Choose a private place and give them time to understand the next steps. Being proactive, by showing respect and listening to their impression helps to build trust.

4. Point Out Opportunities, Not Faults

If you want to criticize to help someone improve their performance, approach it from a place of how you would want the information communicated to you.Stay factual to avoid an emotional confrontation and make sure you create the space for it to be a conversation (versus a directive) that leads to a positive outcome.

3. Give Your Intention Some Attention

Constructive criticism clearly describes the behavior that you want changed. Examples:<ul><li>Don’t say they are irresponsible, provide the dates when they have come in late. </li><li>Don’t say they are disrespectful, reference how they roll their eyes and sigh. </li><li>Don’t say they need to be more of a "team player," explain the specific behavior that you expect.</li></ul>

2. Ground Your Constructive Criticism In Behavior

<ul><li>Choose words that do not put the receiver on the defensive.</li><li>Use "I" messages, like “I’ve noticed”, rather than "you" messages, like “you always.” </li><li>Keep your emotions out of it, as they can derail your message. </li><li>Maintain dignity by giving choices where possible.</li></ul>

15. Show Respect And Stay Objective

Focus on the impact of specific behavior and give expected corrections, but refrain from focusing on personality or intent. This causes less hurt feelings.

13. Discuss Behavior, Impact And Action

If someone brings up an idea you disagree with, don’t shoot the idea down. Doing so can shut down your channel of communication and make others less likely to share ideas in the future.Instead, focus on building a culture of collaboration to encourage constructive criticism.

12. Maintain Collaborative Communication

Most people give feedback by making broad-based claims without providing evidence. Broad-based claims are interpreted as character evaluations and tend to be harmful.Constructive criticism highlights things can be changed and provides some indication of how to change them.

11. Focus on a Behavior That Can Be Changed

One of the biggest misconceptions about constructive criticism is that you must wedge your critique between positive openings and endings. However, this method doesn’t always translate into better performance.Sometimes a leader has to get straight to the point and offer guidance on how flaws can be overcome.

10. Know When To Get To The Point

Real feedback is actually about telling the truth without blame or judgment. And the truth always has two parts: something is working, and something could be better. Start with what works, then share the upgrade.

9. Start With What Is Working

Constructive criticism’s aim is to strengthen people, not to tear them down. Focusing on the issue or the behavior and not the person helps with that.Explain the impact the behavior had on the business. Coming from a place of collaboration and support helps keep that bridge of communication.

8. Build A Bridge, Don't Burn One

Frame the feedback with the outcome in mind, and prepare the recipient for what you have to say. It never hurts anyone to be told, "I need to tell you something that may be hard for you to hear."

6. Prepare The Recipient For Feedback

Praise in public, criticize in private. Feedback loses value when people feel humiliated or embarrassed. So, use the right tone and motive and be constructive.

5. Have A Private Conversation

Whether it's positive or negative, formal or informal, any type of feedback from a supervisor or colleague can clue an employee in on where they stand performance-wise. These types of assessments are especially important when an employee is exhibiting troubling behaviors or attitudes, and the right feedback can help them improve significantly.

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