Second Life Blog

What is Criticism?

Criticism is a two ways communication. It is the core of any
business professional relation. Criticism is the best tool for
professionals to better any professional performance to get the job
done right from the first time and in the shortest ever time.

Criticism is a constructive tool, as it is not there to demonstrate
authority, nor prove who is right and who is wrong and not used to
blame others. If it is used just to focus on specifics, and to share
opinions and cooperate in changing, so it is no more destructive and
will turn to be constructive.

Criticism is a two ways communication. One way is to give criticism
and the other is to receive criticism. To give criticism is an art
and to receive criticism is a game.

The Art of Giving Criticism

When you give criticism you have first to focus on the problem. Do
not forget to start with praise. Pause your criticism; in a question
form. Do not string more than a criticism at a time. Avoid using “always”,
“never”, “worst”, and any generalized
negative phrases.

In your criticism do not follow “you” with “not”
as this is considered an accusation for the person as being careless
or stupid. Do not ever criticize in public. When you do criticizing,
provide solutions and offer help. Do not also give any personal
criticism. Remember when reprimand is over is over, so do not recall
any previous criticism; and when you criticize do not compare.

For your criticism to be objective, set your standards first, as to
be able to criticize upon already agreed functions. Do not ever use
threatening voice tone, so control your voice volume, criticism when
you are calm, do not leave your emotions run free, and use
supportive voice tone and pitches.

This is how to give professional criticism and to make sure that you
will get the job then done right, in a short time, with less effort
and cost.

The Game of Receiving Criticism

Be open to any feed back and welcome the chance for any criticism,
as this is a very good opportunity to better your performance, to
achieve professionalism.

Do not take criticism personally or take an impulsive reaction to
resign for example. Listen applying the 80/20 rule, which is listen
80% and speak only 20%.

Keep a positive body language, when listening to criticism; do not
close yourself nor yawn or scow. There are “Four Don’ts”
you have to take care of them: “Do not defend”, “Do
not compare”, “Do not give reasons”, “Do
not blame”; just speak Epso-Facts.

After listening to criticism, try to write down, and summarize to
double check, that you understood the criticism.

Then find also any other similar criticism, you had received before.
Think of “What steps you have to follow to correct the
situation”, “What are the obstacles you might face to
solve” and “What are the information needed, to help
you solving”. If you asked these previous questions, this
means that you put your self in a “Problem Solving Status”
and that you are ready to develop and change and that you are not
rejecting.

When you are receiving criticism, remember that you do not have to
panic but relax and think how much you participated in getting it
wrong, and how you can initiate to make it go right. Do not act with
criticism as if it is “Thin Air” and then neglect or
ignore, please take it serious, as to better your performance and to
wear the right professional mask.

Dr. Ghada Gomaa,

Protocol & Etiquette Consultant