Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfils the same function as pain in the human body; it calls attention to the development of an unhealthy state of things. If it is heeded in time, danger may be averted; if it is suppressed, a fatal distemper may develop.
~ Winston Churchill
When we share our work with the world, criticism is part of the process. Like a sharp knife, critical feedback is a valuable tool that can be wielded with care and precision for the sake of our improvement, but it can also inflict wounds when mishandled. In this guide, we will learn to distinguish constructive from destructive criticism, so that we can attune ourselves to more effective feedback on our path toward betterment.
More often that not, destructive criticism can be likened to a death by a thousand cuts as opposed to a direct stab to the gut. Like our vital organs, our core self image needs protection. Consider what criticism feels like in the most destructive sense - we may begin questioning our worth, our motivation to move forward, or our capacity for growth. Left unmanaged, these kinds of wounds may leave us hypersensitive to any perceived threat, including the constructive feedback that we need.
Let’s look at the example of Nicki, who has been working as a barista at her local coffee shop for the last six months. Her boss Ricky has a tendency of micromanaging, often interrupting Nicki mid-task to correct her mistakes instead of affording her the space and patience to learn. Over time, his over-involvement in the process interferes with Nicki’s ability to make her own improvements, and she finds herself growing detached and disengaged from the job. In this particular instance, Ricky’s criticisms of Nicki prove to be destructive because they disproportionately magnify the negative and distract from the positive.
In contrast to destructive criticism that is corrosive to self worth, constructive criticism is like a surgeon’s scalpel. It is clean and precise, with the aim of cutting specifically to what needs improvement while preserving healthy flesh. With any surgical procedure, an incision must be made with a smooth healing process in mind, and critiques are no different. Those that are most helpful are the most specific, and may offer actionable steps for improvement. As with proper guidance from a respected doctor, it helps to keep critical feedback impersonal and objective. Like a gardener pruning a plant, constructive feedback is ultimately delivered with the growth of the recipient in mind.
For a look at constructive criticism in action, let’s consider the example of Jackie, who has been working as an assistant for Javier, an established stylist in the entertainment industry. Some of Jackie’s responsibilities include collecting and organizing clothes, so that Javier can consult with clients to narrow down on final outfits. When she got started, Jackie’s initial selections were somewhat scattered and disjointed, making it slower for Javier to pull together cohesive outfits. In an effort to speed up the process, Javier arranges a conversation with Jackie. After complimenting her sense of variety, he suggests that for the next photoshoot, she gather more items from fewer designers. He also suggests that Jackie collect fewer options total, to give her time to better organize clothes into categories like color, fabric, item, etc. Javier’s critiques prove constructive because they are specific and actionable for the sake of improvement. Jackie takes note of her boss’s requests, and her selections moving forward prove much more fruitful.
Criticism is a knife that cuts both ways, but is important for growth and development when wielded mindfully. When mishandled, cutting criticisms can wound us where it hurts, and the damage may take longer than necessary to recover from. Frequent injuries to our core self image may set us back substantially, thereby undermining long term success. When used appropriately, though, honest and objective critique can help us sharpen our craft build confidence through self improvement. More often than not, the process of growth proves more beneficial to our pride than outcomes and results. Feedback is fundamental to that process, and success is meaningless except in relation to failure.