clipped from: www.iwmf.org   

Constructive Criticism:

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• Provides feedback that enhances job results
• Leads to ongoing personal and professional development
• Reduces stress and creates psychological security
• Helps improve interpersonal relationships
• Helps develop the ideal organizational climate

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Golden Rules of Giving Criticism:

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• Give criticism in private.
• Do not sound threatening.
• Keep the criticism balanced.
• Focus on the problem, not on the person's personality.
• Don't overstate the problem by using words such as "always," "never" or "worst."
• Give criticism soon after the event.
• Pose questions that let the person do the work for you.
• Stick to one subject. Don't string together criticisms at one sitting.
• Don't remind people of previous instances that were resolved.
• Use the "I" mode.

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Golden Rules of Receiving Criticism:

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• Welcome feedback.
• Listen to the criticism.
• Maintain eye contact and open body language as you listen.
• Restate the criticism to make sure you understand it.
• View the criticism as an attempt to fix a problem, not a personal attack.
• Focus on possible solutions to each criticism.