Constructive Criticism

Is constructive criticism ever constructive?

The safe answer is no. People will remember the criticism long after they’ve forgotten any constructive aspects.

Another safe answer is yes. There are times when the caring thing to do is to provide criticism. The recipient may not like it, but positive change may be achieved, and occasions arise when helping the person to change is more important than remaining on good terms with the individual.

The wise answer is the old consultant dodge, "It depends." If you wish to reduce or downplay the negatives, you should consider the following factors:

• Do not permit your tone to reveal any enjoyment. If you appear to enjoy offering the criticism, your objectivity will be gone and you’ll be suspected of malice.
• Check out whether you are the best messenger. Advice that is welcomed from one person will be rejected if given by another.
• Watch out for timing. Ideally, the advice should be given when the person is most receptive.
• Let the person know what you are not saying as well as what you are. If you don’t give the context, the person may feel that a larger, more menacing message is being sent.
• Zero in on the problem behavior and not on the person. This is standard advice and yet many people continue to launch personal attacks. It may be because offering constructive criticism takes sensitivity and time whereas personal attacks require neither.
• Always remember what it’s like to be on the other side of such advice. Be as gentle as possible.