Constructive Criticism Jacques Carette Class: Communication Skills September 28, 2009 Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 1 / 15
Outline Goals 1 Criticism, good and bad 2 Giving Criticism 3 Receiving Criticism 4 Summary 5 Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 2 / 15
Goals Define the topic Help you write/give critiques ◮ Now and later Help you receive critique Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 3 / 15
Definitions The term critique derives from the Greek κριτικ ´ η meaning “(the art of) discerning”. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 4 / 15
Definitions The term critique derives from the Greek κριτικ ´ η meaning “(the art of) discerning”. Definition Criticism is the activity of judgement or informed interpretation and, in many cases, can be synonymous with “analysis.” Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 4 / 15
Definitions The term critique derives from the Greek κριτικ ´ η meaning “(the art of) discerning”. Definition Criticism is the activity of judgement or informed interpretation and, in many cases, can be synonymous with “analysis.” Modern connotation involves disagreement and even hostility . Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 4 / 15
Definitions The term critique derives from the Greek κριτικ ´ η meaning “(the art of) discerning”. Definition Criticism is the activity of judgement or informed interpretation and, in many cases, can be synonymous with “analysis.” Modern connotation involves disagreement and even hostility . Definition Constructive criticism is a compassionate attitude towards the person being criticized. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 4 / 15
Goal Definition The goal of constructive criticism is to foster improvement in future work. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 5 / 15
Goal Definition The goal of constructive criticism is to foster improvement in future work. In other words, the intent has to be positive. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 5 / 15
Goal Definition The goal of constructive criticism is to foster improvement in future work. In other words, the intent has to be positive. Additionally, improvement here implicitly means that good aspects must be preserved. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 5 / 15
Being constructive Sluggo “That new kid in school is a big fathead!” Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 6 / 15
Being constructive Sluggo “That new kid in school is a big fathead!” Nancy “You shouldn’t call people names like that. I never call people names.” Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 6 / 15
Being constructive Sluggo “That new kid in school is a big fathead!” Nancy “You shouldn’t call people names like that. I never call people names.” Sluggo “Well, I just got mad when he said you were silly looking.” Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 6 / 15
Being constructive Sluggo “That new kid in school is a big fathead!” Nancy “You shouldn’t call people names like that. I never call people names.” Sluggo “Well, I just got mad when he said you were silly looking.” Nancy “What else did that big fat-head say?” Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 6 / 15
Being constructive Sluggo “That new kid in school is a big fathead!” Nancy “You shouldn’t call people names like that. I never call people names.” Sluggo “Well, I just got mad when he said you were silly looking.” Nancy “What else did that big fat-head say?” Emotional reactions completely nullify the effect of criticism. Synonyms for constructive: positive, helpful, productive, useful, beneficial, practical. Antonyms : destructive, negative, unhelpful, ... Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 6 / 15
Motivation Question: Why are you offering criticism? Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 7 / 15
Motivation Question: Why are you offering criticism? If it pains you to do it, it is worth it. If you will enjoy doing it, then keep your mouth shut. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 7 / 15
Motivation Question: Why are you offering criticism? If it pains you to do it, it is worth it. If you will enjoy doing it, then keep your mouth shut. Giving good criticism can be good for you, as it can help establish your credibility and expertize and that you are a “team player’. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 7 / 15
Motivation Question: Why are you offering criticism? If it pains you to do it, it is worth it. If you will enjoy doing it, then keep your mouth shut. Giving good criticism can be good for you, as it can help establish your credibility and expertize and that you are a “team player’. Are you being helpful or are you nitpicking? Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 7 / 15
The Hamburger Method Start with positive aspects. 2 Be positive - focus on solutions. 4 Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 8 / 15
The Hamburger Method Start with positive aspects. 2 Clear, concise criticism. 3 Be positive - focus on solutions. 4 Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 8 / 15
The Hamburger Method Plan. Give key points. 1 Start with positive aspects. 2 Clear, concise criticism. 3 Be positive - focus on solutions. 4 (for managers) Follow-up. 5 Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 8 / 15
Attributes of good criticism Clear Concise - and remember, concise � = blunt! Tangible, concrete Credible Well-founded Relevant Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 9 / 15
Attributes of bad criticism Personal (attack the problem, not the person) Hesitant General Credible Unfounded It makes you feel/look better Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 10 / 15
Examples Example 1 Bad: That logo design sucks, who the heck would pay for something like that!? Better: The balloon font used in the logo seems a bit too playful for your business, do you think a serif-font might be more professional? Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 11 / 15
Examples Example 1 Bad: That logo design sucks, who the heck would pay for something like that!? Better: The balloon font used in the logo seems a bit too playful for your business, do you think a serif-font might be more professional? Example 2 Bad: I hate red and green, why not use black and white instead! Better: 10% of the male population has red-green colorblindness, you might want to ensure that your color scheme won’t turn away potential customers. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 11 / 15
Examples Example 3 Bad: I can’t read the text. Better: There isn’t much contrast between the background and text color, and the font size is a bit small, so the text is difficult to read. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 12 / 15
To critique a presentation Did the presentation effectively communicate its information? Delivery. Organization (Introduction, conclusion, etc) Command of subject. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 13 / 15
To critique a presentation Did the presentation effectively communicate its information? Delivery. Organization (Introduction, conclusion, etc) Command of subject. To critique someone’s presentation, you must carefully listen to it so that you may analyze it. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 13 / 15
Criticism: It’s not personal! Learning is good If you think you know it all, you’re wrong. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 14 / 15
Criticism: It’s not personal! Learning is good If you think you know it all, you’re wrong. Listen to criticism as information Allow yourself to learn from it Have you heard this repeatedly? How credible is the source? Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 14 / 15
Summary Criticism is a form of analysis. Constructive criticism is helpful. The Hamburger Method. Jacques Carette (McMaster) Constructive Criticism September 28, 2009 15 / 15
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