How to Offer Constructive Criticism

We all are called upon to offer criticism on a regular basis. Whether we make it constructive or not is up to us. The word "criticism" doesn't have to denote harsh speech; when you offer criticism, you should engage in the act of helping someone become a better, more competent person. Here are some tips to help.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Start from the premise that the person in question is not doing whatever he is doing just to aggravate you. Take the attitude that the person is doing the best that he can with what knowledge or skill he possesses at the moment; that thinking alone will go a long way toward helping you speak constructively with the person.

2. Approach the person with a positive attitude, willing to talk about what she is doing right, first. This technique has a way of setting a positive tone for the meeting. If she knows that you appreciate and take note of what she's doing well, she'll be more receptive to your comments about what isn't going well.

3. Use phrases that suggest positivity, rather than negativity. Instead of saying, "Don't draw those lines so heavily on your preliminary drawings," say "Draw your lines with lighter, softer strokes on your preliminary drawing." That way, you immediately take the guesswork out of the substance of your criticism and the person knows, in a constructive way, what you're expecting.

4. Set the stage for your whole relationship with the person in question by creating an atmosphere where praise is freely given, when it is warranted. That way, you will set the tone for your home or place of business by making it clear that you are well aware of all the things the person is doing well on a continual basis. Then, any criticism you offer will not be seen as an attack.

5. Accept criticism yourself, and, if appropriate, accept some of the responsibility for what the person did wrong. For example, you could say, "I realize now that I didn't explain that technique very well, and I can see why you had a difficult time applying it to your drawing. Let me explain it this way..." When you show humility and openness, and the attitude that mistakes are not the end of the world, any constructive criticism you offer will be more readily accepted.