Business Sphere

Nobody has been exempted from criticism. Everybody, at one time or another, has experienced being criticized. Most people don’t want to be criticized, and they will hate you for it.

In the business world, criticism is necessary to get things done, to achieve the company’s objectives, and to obtain growth and profit.

Criticism is not always bad. In fact, done constructively, it can produce positive changes in people, resulting to their personal and professional growth and development.

The following are easy guidelines for giving criticism that gets results:

1. Criticize in private. Don’t embarrass or humiliate the receiver or the person being criticized.

2. When you criticize, be sure that the receiver is listening and is psychologically and emotionally ready and receptive to your message. See to it that the person understand your message. As the saying goes, feedback not heeded is feedback not heard.

3. Don’t criticize a person while he is angry, and don’t communicate in anger. Wait for the receiver to get over his / her anger, and the same rule applies to you.

4. Criticize the behavior, and not the person. Focus on what was done rather than the person’s role in it.

5. Criticize while the behavior is fresh in both your minds. It will then have the higher benefit.

6. Be honest with yourself about your purpose of criticizing. If your aim is to punish or humiliate, then the receiver will realize this and will become defensive. And he or she may even hate you for it. Don’t over-criticize. Moderation is better.

7. When you criticize, avoid showing superiority. Be provisional in your approach. Always communicate hope and change for the better.

8. When criticizing, show understanding and empathy for the receiver’s situation. Be generous to a fault. This will help win the receiver’s trust and respect to you, as well as regain his/her self-esteem.

As you can see, criticism is either good or bad. It depends  on how you criticize. Keeping in mind the above guidelines when you criticize the next time around will result in positive change and growth, both for the receiver, you and to the company as well. In this instance, criticism becomes a potent tool for good, since it gets results and help achieve personal and business objectives.