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How to Stop Criticizing Others

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Four Things To Think About Before Criticizing Others

Being overly critical of another individual will have negative effects on all involve. The person being criticized may develop feelings of resentment and contempt toward the individual who has been critical. Some people immediately go on the defensive in an attempt to defend their honor. Here are four things to think about before criticizing others.

1. No One Perfect

The first thing is to remember we all have faults. We may not like to admit it, but it is a fact. Maybe we have done something similar in our lives and we were forced to make a similar judgment. This does not give us a valid reason to criticize them in the first place. By pointing a finger at someone’s faults the end result is three fingers pointing back.

2. Look At All Perspectives

Secondly, keep in mind that in order to better comprehend the situation we need only to look at things from their point of view. This will not only give us a greater understanding of their reasoning, but also grants insights into why they may have made the decision. Ask yourself this, what you would have done had you been in their position? Would you have handled it any differently?

3. Be Complimentary

The third step is making sure you can open with a compliment. Let them know how well they perform a certain task or bring up a past accomplishment. Everyone likes to hear praises, but none of us enjoy criticism. By opening with a compliment you lighten the sting of the impending criticism.

4. Avoiding Heating it Up to an Argument

Be civilized and avoid heated arguments. These will have the opposite desired results. An important reminder is to criticize a person’s actions and not the actual person. Never get critical of another in front of others. This creates friction and decreases the chances of them understanding the issue as they will busy themselves defending their actions.

Finally, offer a possible solution or agree to sit down and talk about a solution. No matter how we go about it we must be attentive and willing to hear their input and suggestions. Do not be hasty and close your ears to their ideas. By starting out on the right foot, being calm and understanding, you have given them the chance to devise a plan on their own to improve upon the problem area and resolve it through means they feel comfortable with.

By doing so it gives that person a chance to see things from your point of view, and why they were criticized to begin with. They may be able to see the problem areas and can help to avoid the same mistakes in the future. By following these four things to think about before criticizing, all parties involved will be happier and willing to work toward a resolution.

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