I was chatting to a colleague today about some constructive criticism they had recently received. I provided my thanks for the opportunity to rant, and then did so.
There is no such thing as constructive criticism. I am not sure who came up with the term but lets start our analysis with the definition of criticism.
Basically any expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes, a critical review. Based on this definition there is little about criticism that appeals to me (particularly when it’s about me).
Constructive criticism is apparently a helpful and good thing for you to embrace because it’s an opportunity for improvement. It focuses on a particular issue for you to fix.
What a load of crap?
My personal observation is the outcome of so-called constructive criticism is almost always negative. Hence my own clear and accurate description, destructive criticism.
At least with with criticism you can characterize it as an unhelpful attack by a small minded individual preening their self importance through the use of a subjective personal opinion.
Constructive criticism, because it is couched in the lie that it is intended to be helpful, is simply the knife covered by a cloth so you don’t see it coming right away and so have more trouble defending against it.
Negative, really?
You may question my bold statement that constructive criticism most often fails to achieve the change it is intended for. I support that assertion with a simple question for you.
Has criticism directed at you, constructive or otherwise, ever resulted in feelings other than anger, fear, dissapointment, agression, defensiveness and the list goes on.
These are uniformally bad feelings which make you feel bad. Good results come from good feelings not bad ones. I will end with an exaggeration.
How effective do you think the boxing coach is during a bout when he provides his fighter with constructive criticism. “You are terrible, this is the worst fight I have ever seen and you deserve to loose. Iam just telling you this for your own good.”.
Oh yeah, that will motive the fighter to do better, NOT.
