Fortunately, there are several excellent methods for giving constructive criticism that are unlikely to
trigger bad feelings. Since requests go a much longer way toward achieving cooperation than snide remarks, put-downs and negative declarations, the first method of constructive criticism is to request a specific change in the
future instead of pointing out something negative in the present.
A technique of constructive criticism is called the "sandwich method" in which one sandwiches the meat of a criticism between
two positive comments.
Hence, instead of saying "You did a lousy job writing this report," using the sandwich method one could say "You did a great job on the introduction, but the middle section and conclusion seem a
little weak. With a
bit more work, I'm sure you can tighten it up into a really good report."
It'
s also important to keep in mind that how you say things matters as much as what you say. If you want to deliver constructive criticism skillfully it'
s helpful to practice using "I-statements" rather than "You-statements”
destructive criticism.
To summarize:
Try the "sandwich method" as much as possible.
Practice requesting positive change in the
future instead of complaining about current behavior.
Deliver your messages in the form of I-statements rather than You-statements.
Finally, keep in mind that giving criticism is a
skill that, like all skills, can be mastered through learning and practice.
