Giving Constructive Criticism

Not only does a leader have to appropriately receive criticism, he also must be effective in giving criticism. A leader will have opportunity to evaluate team members’ performance and their contributions to accomplishing goals and developing strategies.

Here are some guidelines to consider as you provide constructive criticism:

1. Make sure you have earned the privilege to speak criticism into their lives. If the only interaction you have with a team member is when you are communicating a word of criticism, the results will not be satisfying to anyone. By pouring value into a person’s life over time, you will enhance the productive processing of constructive criticism.

2.      Communicate specifically the improvement you want to see and how it will benefit the team generally and the team member personally. Let the team member know when the needed improvement will be re-evaluated.

3.      Communicate the criticism sincerely and honestly. The person receiving the criticism needs to sense your desire that they grow personally and succeed professionally.

 A word of helpful criticism, given at the opportune time and in the right spirit can contribute significantly to the eventual success of your team. Ken Blanchard writes, “Some leaders are like seagulls. When something goes wrong, they fly in, make a lot of noise, and crap all over everything.”  When it comes to giving criticism, don’t be a seagull.