The Dos and Don’ts of Giving Criticism

We’re creative – overworked, proud and when it comes to criticism many times we can be sensitive. Then again, when you’ve put countless hours into a project, who wouldn’t be? However, it’s a necessary evil and a critical component in our everyday work. When given correctly someone can take in that feedback, elevate their work and make a good project great.

From my experience, here are a few tips to help with the process:

#1 Get clarity

Understand what the goal is of the work that you’re critiquing. Critiquing is an opportunity to address a specific project and collaborate to make a change.

#2Think of a sandwich

Compliment, criticism, compliment. Be aware – you’re critiquing the work not the person.

#3 Be specific

Don’t just say you don’t like something, give suggestions on how it can be improved.

#4 Tone

Get your point across but be conscious of how you are saying it. Your critique should sound like a suggestion rather than an order.

#5 Timeliness

Give your feedback at the appropriate time, not 5 minutes before a deadline. Be sure to check back after you give your criticism and see if your comments were helpful and perhaps offer to take another look at someone’s work.

Remember, criticism allows for collaboration and should be seen as opportunity to learn, be positively intended, objective and constructive.