Constructive Criticism Is Healthy!

Practicing constructive criticism has to be learned, and accepting this is important too. Try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and get your opinion to help the other person improve.

Constructive criticism has nothing to do with constant complaining or complaining. What’s the difference? In the attitude and the intention. Constructive criticism should help, unnecessary lawsuits and complaints are annoying and painful.

Incidentally, it was found that constructive criticism is good for your health. Do you want to know why Then we recommend you read this post.

What is constructive criticism?

The definition is giving your opinion to someone (or yourself) with the intention of helping that person. It is a mature, respectful, and responsible attitude toward another person.

The value of constructive criticism lies in the intention:  the goal is to achieve positive change and to help the person addressed improve.

However, many do not rate it positively when someone selflessly expresses a different point of view, because they believe that the criticizing person only wants to interfere in personal matters and devalue others.

But this is far from reality! Constructive criticism promotes notable and respectable values, also within ourselves.

This also includes honesty, loyalty and respect. However, since the well-intentioned intention is often misinterpreted, it is advisable to express it before the criticism is made.

This way, misunderstandings can be cleared out of the way from the beginning and the receptivity of the person addressed is much better.

What is the difference to destructive criticism? Negative criticism  does no good  and is only intended to harm or harass others.

It is true that the censure is not always expressed on purpose or consciously, but it is unbearable nonetheless. In addition, negative criticism is often repeated over and over again.

The first doodles often appear during an argument or when there is a problem. After that, any everyday situation can trigger negative criticism. This has a destructive effect, in contrast to positive criticism, which only aims to help the person concerned. 

How can you exercise constructive criticism?

Often we want to help someone, but things don’t turn out the way we’d like them to. A misunderstanding can arise that will set a wheel rolling in a way that was never intended. However, constructive criticism can be broken down into three phases:

• You start with a positive thought
• then communicates the criticism in a simple way without hurting the person concerned and
• concludes with an optimistic opinion to encourage change.

Constructive criticism should have a positive effect and not end in anger. You should be able to learn from it and feel motivated to make a change.

An article in Psychology Today recommends the “sandwich method” for providing constructive criticism. While it is not always easy to consider the individual steps, it is worth making an effort. This is how it should work:

Discuss the topic

You should avoid words or sentences like “you didn’t do it”, “you have to …”, “you should …” as much as possible. It’s not about attacking the person you’re talking to, but about bringing about positive change. Therefore, personal criticism should be avoided and a general opinion should be expressed instead.

A statement such as “you are not explaining this to the customer sufficiently” can be replaced by an opinion that is not directly directed at the data subject such as “the customers are not getting what they need”.

Talking about the good things

It’s easier to start a positive conversation with someone if you praise them from the start. It’s a marketing ploy that is also used in politics. Sometimes it is a big challenge to express something positive first and then criticize.

Congratulate the other person for their strengths and abilities and motivate them to keep going in a positive way. Once you share the “bad news”, the other person will not feel too bad or pressured.

Provide evidence

It is not just about saying what the person concerned is doing badly and what could be improved. Evidence, studies, etc. that back this up are also very helpful.

There are not always studies on a specific topic,  but the direct consequences can also be mentioned:  “It struck me that whenever customers understand the benefits of the product, they buy it too,” so the example mentioned above can be to be continued.

Get on the same level

How would you feel if the other person shared what you had to say to yourself? If it’s bad, find a way to start a positive conversation.

Never speak from a superior position,  but rather on the same level to show the other person that you can help them. You can use a similar situation that you have already experienced yourself and explain how you solved it.

“If the customers didn’t want to buy the product, then I explained it to them in more detail.”

building up trust

Letting the other person know that you trust them and that they are sure to make positive changes is one of the best ways to be constructive and to achieve your goal. Let the person concerned know that you trust in their capacities,  assure them that things will certainly change for the better.

What if someone criticizes me constructively?

Of course, others can and should criticize yourself in a positive way. There are many advantages to accepting constructive criticism. These include, for example:

Appreciate yourself more

Knowing that you are wrong is the first step in changing and improving certain things. This also shows how responsible we are to ourselves and how we can strengthen our qualities.

When someone tells us that we haven’t done something well, the other person just wants us to be a better person.

Control the pride

It is not easy to accept mistakes. Anyone who has the ability to endure criticism from others as well as their own  shows that their motivation to improve is greater than their pride.

avoid conflicts

Anyone who learns to accept and manage constructive criticism knows that it can also be used to solve internal, external or social problems. Putting yourself in the shoes of others is very productive!