Thursday Chip----Praise/Criticize

[Misty]

There is an old saying that goes"if ya can't say something nice then just shut up" I think you can be safe following this advice but I also think its a good idea to get a
trusted friend to be able to vent &
criticize people & things with them
Do you praise of criticize??? Please let me know Thanks--Mistyeve

[johnl]

I lean more towards praise then criticize, I dont mind constructive criticism,it helps me grow

[caressa]

Personally, I think criticism is good if it is constructive. My disease is one of perception. Some days I tell myself I am a saint, I can do no wrong, it has to be the other guy who is at fault, etc.

I have even been known to say, "God, are you sure about this?"

[Lin]

I've not heard it with the SHUT UP part...I tend to think of that term as rude..but i Do use IF YOU CAN'T SAY SOMETHING NICE, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL.

I have touse constructive criticism to teach. When showing a child how to proofread a story, you have to point out the good parts before showing them the parts they need to work on. It's important to remembre CONSTRUCt means to BUILD UP. Constructive criticism should be delivered in a way that they person feels good about themselves.

I see alot of people who are critical and they seem to be doing it to feel good about themselves. they dont think about the feelings of the other person. Offering a better solution in a nice way is much better than saying YOU ARE WRONG. Often i do it in a question form...DO YOU TINK IT WOULD LOOK BETTER IF YOU SLANTED YOUR CURSIVE A LITTLE MORE? But I always start with something like..YOU TOUCHED TE LINES NICELY AND SHAPED YOUR LETTERS NICELY.

You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. I keep that in mind and brag and criticise as often as it is needed. Telling folks they did a good job is very good.

LIN

I wanted to add...last nigth i had a surprise "drop in" observation of my leader skills at a meeting i was working. I had no idea she was coming. Her followup talk was very positive. She only gave me a few pointers and the funny thing..those things she said are things i USUALLY do but did not last night for some reason. She started with the good things she saw and heard and filled the page. There were only three small things at the bottom and i can do those just great. The "constructive criticism" was very helpful. it let me know what to keep doing like I am diong and what to concentrate on a litttle more.

[Misty]

Hey Everyone----Thanks for all the GREAT comments!!! Good to hear from you!!! Hugs & Thanks-Mistyeve