How to Offer Criticism to Others

Topic: 2:09 A Nugget of Wisdom from a Senior Leader:

“How to Offer Criticism to Others”

“Keep criticism positive. Recently, I tried to analyze the reason I criticize. –and I think there are probably the reasons that all of us have a tendency to criticize. Three reasons were negative and one was positive.

1-We are just passing the buck on something we are mad at ourselves about.

2-We criticize to show superior knowledge.

3 We also criticize because our personal performance is not up to par.

Positive Criticism:

4-Positive criticism is “simply a desire to bring improvement,,,to help someone else by pointing out something that he or she might not see. It is done quietly and kindly. True positive criticism is not done within the earshot of others, (unlike the three negative types which are shouted gleefully before and audience). True postitive strong criticism is specific and is directed clearly toward the area that needs work for the sake of improvement. The motive of postivie criticsm-helping others, sets it apart from negative forms. When you criticize positively, you are demonstrating emotional stablility-a quality every leader must have. by Fred Smith Jr, “Breakfast with Fred”

A Word of Truth from The Ultimate Executive:

“No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Hebrews 12:11 NIV

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load” Galations 6:1

Closing Prayer: Lord, save me from negative criticism. When I do criticize, help me to examine the motive as to whether it is coming from a negative or unsecure place. When I do give criticism, let it be positive, constructive, be motivated by love and be given with humility and grace. Help me not to give criticism in anger, pride or selfishness but in a spirit of Christian humility.