I have said and repeated, “There is no such thing as constructive criticism”.

 

I have said and repeated, “Constructive criticism is an oxymoron”.

 

While those conclusions came to me through independent thought, I have discovered many hold similar views and some folks even use the same words.

 

2 examples:

• I came across the following quote by the famous psychiatrist/psychologist and student of Sigmund Freud…Carl Gustav Jung
  
  “Criticism has the power to do good when there is something that must be destroyed, dissolved or reduced but it is capable only of harm when there is something to be built.”
• I came across a poem http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/constructive-criticism-an-oxymoron-for-all-but-a-few

Both of these references describe the same thoughts I have come to accept as reality.

 

In summary:

• Criticism, regardless of how carefully we try to package it, is poorly received almost each and every time it is delivered
• Almost each and every time we deliver criticism it is destructive
• Often, criticism is well-intended, well-packaged, and well-delivered…yet, it has no chance of being received as constructive [the door is closed and locked tight before it arrives]
• And…people will always have differing views and there will often be a need to share those views…particularly, if we wish to create change…and, in business, we often do want to create change…hence, a major question: How do we create change without being received as deliverers of destructive messages?

That last bullet point gets to the root of business…people, interpersonal relationships, and change.

 

***

 

Napoleon Hill taught the value of faith.

 

He made it clear he meant 'faith' in the broadest sense, not just religious faith. And, he expressed his view, 'doubters do not build'. Hill's research showed every major business development and contribution had been founded on faith.

 

And, Hill established, ‘those who doubt do not build’.

 

***

 

You have ideas.

 

You want to build business things.

 

You have visions of what could be....what could be created...what could be built.

 

Do you have the right amount of faith to achieve 'what could be built'?

 

I say 'the right amount of faith' because I want to highlight a balanced approach to building business. I am not comfortable with blind faith. Few things lend themselves to blind faith. Blind faith fails too often. Few things in business lend themselves to blind faith. So, in business, blind faith is a problem in the making. Blind faith is whimsical wishing. And, wishing and hoping don’t get it done!

 

So, faith in business needs some boundaries.

 

How will those business boundaries set?

 

Will they set by you alone?

 

Will they set by you, working with others?

 

I think you will set your business boundaries both ways.

 

Sometimes, you, alone, will set the boundaries. You will use your personal values to guide you and you will use your good judgment.

 

Other times, you will work with other people to set business boundaries.

 

And, that’s where criticism arrives.

 

Why?

 

Because…

• Doing things right is subjective…you have views and other people have views…often the views differ
• Doing the right things is subjective…you have views and other people have views…often the views differ
• Predicting or forecasting the future…you have views and other people have views…often the views differ…and none of us have a crystal ball…and some of us fail to recognize that last point

Obviously, we are discussing a fundamental issue here. We are discussing a fundamental people-issue with broad business application.

 

I think constructive criticism is an oxymoron.

 

I think most people disagree with that point.

 

Most people believe in or blindly accept the constructive capability of criticism.

 

And that causes more problems than are required.

 

Footnotes:
- An idea on how to prepare
- A tool that helps