The document provides guidance on how to effectively give and receive criticism. It defines criticism as an unfavorable or severe judgment or comment. To give criticism effectively, one should remain calm, be specific in their critiques, criticize the action not the person, personalize their approach, point out positives, and follow up. When receiving criticism, one should consider the source, listen without arguing, stay calm, ask clarifying questions, and thank the critic and follow up by taking action. The overall message is that criticism should be a constructive process to help people improve if given and received effectively.

1. How to give and receive
criticism effectively...
by Shaunica Stark
Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a
man’s growth without destroying his roots —Frank A. Clark

2. So, what is criticism, by the
way?
Criticism is defined as....
the act or an instance of making an unfavourable or severe
judgment, comment, etc...The Free Dictionary

3. When it comes to criticism, how do you give
and receive it ...effectively?
Effective criticism is all about about how you
perceive criticism.

4. Substitute criticism for feedback...
If you can perceive criticism , as feedback, you may be able to "give and
receive it"...more effectively...
The word feedback sounds better than the word criticism. Don't you think?
Feedback (in this context, as it pertains to criticism) is defined as.. a
statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or
request or criticism or accusation. ..The Free Dictionary

5. Now that we have changed our perception to a more
positive sounding word/phrase ...Let's focus on giving
effective...criticism/feedback....
Here is how you give
criticism/feedback...effectively

6. Calm, cool, collected
Go in cool, calm, and collected. Before you begin to give
criticism, make sure you have your emotions in check

7. Be specific...
Be specific. Don't beat around the bush...be as specific as
you can in your critiques.

8. Criticize the action, not the person
Criticize the action, not the person. Try to keep the
person as separated from their mistakes as possible by
criticizing their action and not them

9. Personalize your approach...
Personalize your approach. Consider a person’s
disposition when deciding how to approach the delivery of
your criticism.

10. Point out the positives...
Point out positives. When criticizing someone, it’s always
good to point out the positives in their work or actions as
well

11. Follow up...
Follow up. Always make sure to follow up after giving
constructive criticism. Your criticism won’t do any good if
the person doesn’t put into practice your suggestions.
Schedule a follow up with the person you're criticizing

12. Now, let's focus on receiving effective...
criticism/feedback....
Here's how you receive criticism/feedback..
effectively

13. Consider the source...
Consider the source. You're going to receive criticism
from thousands of people in your lifetime. It’s important to
remember that not all criticism is created equal.
Determining the source of the criticism and the motivations
behind it will help you know how to handle it

14. Listen...
Shut your trap and listen. Fight the urge to argue with the
person or explain your mistake, and just listen to your critic.
You’d be surprised what you can learn if you simply soak it
in.

15. Stay calm...
Stay calm (even if the other person is being a complete
d-bag). The goal in criticism is to keep as much of your
emotions out of it as possible

16. Ask clarifying questions....
Ask clarifying questions. Make sure you’re on the same
page with your critic by asking clarifying questions.
Clarifying questions are particularly important if your critic is
giving vague or ambiguous criticism.

17. Thank your critic....
Thank your critic (even when they handed your butt to
you). Always thank your critic. This can be difficult. No one
seriously wants to say, “Thanks for showing me that I was
wrong!” But swallow your pride and sincerely thank your
critic.

18. Follow up...
Take action and follow up. After you’ve received your
criticism, take action immediately. After you’ve taken action,
make sure to follow up with your critic and let them know
how you’ve rectified the problem

19. Source
How to Give and Take
Criticism like a Man
by BRETT & KATE MCKAY on NOVEMBER 4, 2008
http://artofmanliness.com/2008/11/04/how-to-give-and-take-criticism-like-a-man/