When is criticism a good thing

Sometimes it will be difficult to accept — but that all depends on your reaction. You can either use criticism in a positive way to improve, or in a negative way that can lower your self-esteem and cause stress, anger or even aggression. To deal with criticism positively may require good self-esteem and some assertiveness skills, you may find our pages: Improving Self-Esteem and Assertiveness useful.

There are two types of criticism - constructive and destructive — learning to recognise the difference between the two can help you deal with any criticism you may receive. Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain but it takes character and self control to be understanding and forgiving. When challenged by another person, it is common to react in a negative manner. Consider how negative reactions make you look — and more importantly how they make you feel.

The way in which you choose to handle criticism has a knock-on effect in various aspects of your life, therefore it is better to identify ways in which you can benefit from criticism and use it to your advantage to be a stronger and more able person.

The difference between constructive criticism and destructive criticism is the way in which comments are delivered. Although both forms are challenging your ideas, character or ability, when someone is giving destructive criticism it can hurt your pride and have negative effects on your self-esteem and confidence.

Destructive criticism is often just thoughtlessness by another person, but it can also be deliberately malicious and hurtful. Constructive criticism , on the other hand, is designed to point out your mistakes, but also show you where and how improvements can be made. Constructive criticism should be viewed as useful feedback that can help you improve yourself rather than put you down.

When criticism is constructive it is usually easier to accept, even if it still hurts a little. In either scenario always try to remember that you can use criticism to your advantage.

But with blogging and the online space? Oh lord. The kind of comments you get online has no boundaries. They can basically be anything, from your looks to your personal life to your family. Just two weeks ago, I wrote about enrolling in a dating agency which was sponsored by the agency itself.

A while back, I had a photoshoot with SimplyHer a local magazine as part of a coaching feature that I did for them. I shared the photos on my blog. A month ago, someone spammed my articles with various pointless comments.

And the list goes on. The first situation would be when you constantly get criticisms without a breather. Besides it being a serious energy suck, constant criticism can divert you from the things that really matter.

The blog comments that I shared earlier in the article are examples of that. Put these people in their place by asserting your rights. Cut out chronic critics from your life if you have to. Benson that I absolutely love:. You and the entire team will then be ready to dive deeper into the next iteration.

To create breakthroughs, it is necessary to leverage the contrasts that come from critique instead of escaping them. In her research on the power of dissent, Charlan Nemeth shows that debate and criticism do not inhibit ideas; rather, they stimulate them. Progress requires clashing and fusing — not compromising or postponing — different perspectives. Francesca Gino rightfully maintains that criticism works only when it leads to enhancing and improving an idea.

A key element in this process is respectful listening and acknowledgment of the talent and abilities of colleagues. Here are a few simple guidelines. Perhaps there is an even more powerful idea hidden behind our two perspectives. The secret of criticism in innovation lies in the joint behavior of the participants. Those offering criticism must frame their points as positive, helpful suggestions. Those who are being criticized must use critiques to learn and improve their ideas.

When conducted with curiosity and respect, criticism becomes the most advanced form of creativity.