Criticism and Feedback

Constructive criticism consists of objective feedback given after the completion of a task. “Hypermanaging” consists of interfering and providing feedback–constructive or otherwise–before a task is completed. For example: “You didn’t do that right.” Reply: “I’m not finished yet.” Counterreply: “That’s no excuse.”

Acceptance of criticism flows from a commitment to do one’s best and to achieve the best possible result. “I believe I did this well. If someone can prove it can be better, I’ll honor that feedback because I want the best possible result.” One block to accepting criticism is a false belief that “I must be perfect.” If this false belief were true, then criticism would be intolerable–at least if the criticism pointed out something valid–because improvement is not necessary to an infallible, perfect person.