Giving criticism without causing offence is an art form of its own. It can be very hard to give criticism. Even harder to do it in a way that doesn’t leave the recipient feeling defensive and insulted. But it’s important to be able to give criticism constructively, especially if you’re in a position of authority or giving feedback.
In this post, we’ll teach you how to give criticism without causing offence to the other person. We’ll cover the dos and don’ts of critiquing, as well as some helpful tips for making your criticism more palatable. With people, the way you say something heavily impacts how they react to it. Sometimes your message doesn’t even matter as much as how you deliver the message.
So whether you’re a boss, teacher, or parent, read on for some helpful advice on how to dish out criticism without putting your loved ones on the defensive.
How to Critique Others Without Offending Them.
When critiquing someone else, it’s important to remember that we all have feelings – even the person you’re critiquing. So before you say anything, it’s best to take a step back and ask yourself, “Am I about to hurt this person’s feelings?”
If you find that the answer is yes, then it’s best to withhold your criticism until you can find a way to sugar-coat it. For example, you could try saying something like, “I think you could improve this aspect of your work, but I really like everything else about it.”
Criticism can be difficult to give – and even more difficult to receive – but it’s an essential part of growing as an artist or professional.
Why Is It Important to Critique Others?
When you give someone criticism, it’s important to remember the following: You are not their mother. You are not their father. You are not their boss. You are not their therapist.
You are simply a person who is trying to help them become better. So, before you critique someone, ask yourself the following question: What am I hoping to achieve? If your goal is simply to make them feel bad, then you’re doing it wrong.
Critique should be rooted in love and a desire to see the person improve. If your criticism is motivated by anger or hatred, then it’s best to keep your mouth shut.
How to Make Sure You Don’t Offend Anyone?
When it comes to giving criticism, it’s important to make sure that you’re not offending the person you’re trying to help. The easiest way to make sure that you don’t offend anyone is by using the “sandwich method”.
The sandwich method is simple – start out by saying something nice, then give your criticism, and then finish off with another nice comment. This will make sure that the person you’re critiquing doesn’t feel attacked, and that they’ll be more likely to listen to your feedback.
Pro Tips for Being a Good Critic.
It’s not easy to deliver criticism. You have to be concise, articulate, and sensitive to the person you’re critiquing – all while making sure that your message is heard loud and clear.
Here are a few pro tips for critiquing others without offending them;
- Make sure your criticism is relevant and useful.
- Be polite and respectful. This is the most important part of any critique.
- Offer specific feedback. Saying “I don’t like it” doesn’t help the creator understand what they could do to make it better.
- Point out the good as well as the bad. Nobody’s perfect, and every piece of art has something to commend it.
- Critique the work, not the person.
- Offer constructive suggestions on how to improve it.
- Don’t be afraid to give negative feedback – it can be helpful if done correctly
We have a more extensive guide on giving good critiques with your feedback here. Criticism is a necessary evil, but it doesn’t have to hurt the recipient’s feelings. While we acknowledge that it might take some work, it is possible to give criticism without causing offence.
Do let us know in the comment section if you found this helpful.
