The Power of Positive Criticism

Giving and taking criticism—both tasks are extremely difficult for most people and few do either well. Yet, there is now an abundance of research that indicates giving and taking criticism productively is crucial to individual and organizational effectiveness, that individuals who have the ability to give and take criticism productively are more successful than those who don't, and that an inability to give and take criticism effectively has dire consequences, be it at work or at home. Giving and taking criticism impacts all aspects of our lives. On a personal level, giving and taking positive criticism is a key attribute of successful marriages, a chief parenting skill and a catalyst for self development. Certainly, no organization can run successfully without assessing performance, team reviews, quality control, customer feedback, conflict management and other situations that call upon you to give and take criticism. That's what makes these scenarios so delicate, dangerous and extremely important. Often complex and difficult to handle emotionally, criticism can be a powerful force for good. Too often we think it's simply a list of negatives, of things that went wrong, that were not done right, a view that misses the point of criticism entirely. At its best, criticism can do exactly what it's supposed to do: motivate, educate, inspire. But when it seems mean and destructive—even if it wasn't meant that way—it can break spirits, damage companies, ruin careers, destroy marriages and derail children from the track of success. In this high impact presentation, Dr. Hank Weisinger, world-renowned psychologist, NY Times bestselling author and the originator of the higher regarded techniques of criticism training, will show how to convert the everyday process of giving and taking criticism from an often destructive encounter into a positive, stimulating, beneficial experience for everyone involved. In today's turbulent global working world, this is more important than ever.
Some specifics covered will include:
• What makes it difficult to give and take criticism?
• Criticism vs. feedback—the crucial difference.
• The difference and the skills for criticizing your staff, colleague, boss.
• Five tips for handling your most difficult and challenging criticism encounters.
• The essence of a positive critic.