The Energy Project: Here's a question guaranteed to make your stomach lurch: "Would you mind if I gave you some feedback?"
What that actually means is "Would you mind if I gave you some negative feedback, wrapped in the guise of constructive criticism, whether you want it or not?"
The problem with criticism is that it challenges our sense of value. Criticism implies judgment and we all recoil from feeling judged. As Daniel Goleman has noted, threats to our esteem in the eyes of others are so potent they can literally feel like threats to our very survival.
26 comments:
I find the topic of constructive criticism to be one that while it can be really useful, tend to cause more harm then good. The article raises the very interesting point that often the idea of constructive criticism is misused by a person who feels threatened or can just accidentally come off as aggressive when not intended to. Above all else though, I think the first line of the article really nails the idea of constructive criticism. The moment someone offers it, it immediately seems like you are being attack.
I do not believe that constructive criticism/negative feedback/whatever-you'd-like-to-call-it should be eliminated. It is true that some people approach the topic incorrectly and that some people have trouble absorbing the information because they become defensive, but those are the problems that should be focused on, not eliminating criticism altogether. This article has some good points which can help in the approach a person takes when being critical, but could talk more specifically instead about talking about conflicting intentions.
I just don't buy this. Constructive criticism is incredibly useful. Doing away with it is dangerous and just seems like a terrible idea. It's just as useful (if not more so) to hear others' criticisms as their praise. Constructive criticism - in it's true form, not just criticism - can really benefit the receiver. It's just the difference of being a jerk. Being constructive is great. Letting someone know honest opinions and interpretations is so useful. Being condescending and bossy is just mean and stupid, but that's not what constructive criticism is.
I am of the understanding that this author thinks that constructive criticism is useful but that we shouldn't necessarily refer to it as criticism or feedback. We should think of it more as a way of discussing the work in question as opposed to criticizing it. I totally see what he means. I think that he probably didn't word his closing points carefully enough, and that is why Abby and Sophia perceived that he was saying that constructive criticism should be thrown out the window. The terminology is what the author wants to get rid of, in order to more carefully approach these types of situations so as to avoid offending anyone or making them get too defensive. This makes sense. I am much more willing to listen when someone approaches me with questions and an insightful conversation about my work flat-out, harshly-worded criticism.
I think that it is important to always realize what you have done or about to do or say can come off in a certain way to people. And though there might not be any real 'constructive critiscm' its all in the eye of the beholder really. Even if someone is criticising me in a way that is inteded to be rude or what have you, it can be contructive in the way that it makes me want to do better, just to show that person that I am better than that. Criticism should always be seen as something that can help you improve, even if it doesnt come from a good place, or is wrong. All of it can help us improve and be better.
This author makes many good points. Tempering everything that you say to people about themselves is very important especially if you are in a position of power over them or you are some one that they really trust. I personally really value constructive criticism. I find that I work best when I have feedback and when it is harsh, that is the thing that jolts me into realizing how I am coming off and what I'm doing. It is hard to be objective about yourself because you know exactly why you do everything that you do and so to look at how those things come off is hard to do. But when someone that I trust or interact a lot with can give me that perspective I really value it.
We work on productions in the school of drama largely to receive constructive criticism in an environment where it's OK to make mistakes without obliterating our careers: we get them from our advisors, from the audience's response, from conservatory hour, and from the community as a whole, and we accept their advice because we're putting our work out there for them knowing that it will be subject to it. What this author points out, and what indeed can be a problem, is when people from whom we don't expect feedback lend their opinions, complete with their biases, poor judgement and poor phrasing. If we are proactive about feedback and seek it ourselves from neutral yet informed parties, it will help us substantially.
I think that this article raised a really important point: there is no such thing as constructive criticism, there is only criticism, masked in "helpful" wording and a friendlier approach. This makes criticism no less constructive: just as an easier pill to swallow because criticism, and judgement in fact is a necessary thing in learning how to grow as an art maker or specialist in a field. I think it is when people combine certain criticisms concerning their artwork to their criticism as a human being- thats where the messy business happens, when people start getting offended, and when critiques are no longer productive means of having an artist learn and listen to alternative perspectives.
this all goes back to the idea that younger generations are being raised on too much praise and people are afraid of hurting teens feelings and confidence by telling them anything other then how amazing they are at something. Constructive criticism (or what ever the BS politically correct term is) should not be eliminated. It is a necessary part to the growing process. If your told that all your work is amazing your going to see no need to change anything and there for never learn. The only true way to learn is from mistakes. as for people feeling threatened. that is the responsibility of both parties. The person who is offering the advice needs to make it clear that it is advice to make what ever it is better. As for the person receiving the advice. grow up, get over yourself and listen, because they might have something good to add to make what ever it is your doing better.
Daniel, the other issue in there is giving feedback where it is not necessarily requested. As you pointed out, many of the projects that we do are considered public and open for commentary and critique, and our students go into those projects in the mindset that everything will be judged and evaluated. However, there are definitely situations where someone would be more prone to defensiveness and not to hearing the commentary for what it is. I think specifically of a situation where I was editing my resume and a classmate looked over my shoulder and started giving comments (a) unsolicited and (b) inappropriate for the style (note the defensiveness I'm taking even now?).
The author here also touches on a big point: you make a self-assumption that your opinion is correct when you make criticism. On some projects (like my resume as discussed earlier), the suggestions may be lacking necessary background (such as the company it's being sent to), or may solely be based in a qualitative assessment based on a personal taste (such as inclusion or exclusion of punctuation in the resume format). I think it behooves commenters to be aware of their assumptions, their true intentions and the structure of their suggestions before offering advice that may be tossed out or may be taken offense to.
When I first saw this article, I immediately disagreed with the title and the first few lines I read. However as I continued on, I began to notice that the tendencies described are prevalent both in my peers and in myself. I another habit that I find often is holding back what you really think in the defensive way described. Things can become very competitive sometimes, and while we are all at school to work on our own ability, sometimes the line between helping someone improve their work and helping them bypass work that you have figured out can be tricky. I think that it is a similar situation for constructive criticism. I don't mean that giving criticism is helping someone skip learning, but that the fear of that line can prevent people from giving whole constructive criticism.
Criticism has become such a sensitive topic and this article gives an interesting perspective on the behaviors behind constructive criticism which all seem applicable to life in School of Drama.
Under his first behavior, giving feedback when your own work is at risk is something that happens so often within our classes. Often we are giving presentations and are called on to give feedback. Many can become defensive of their own work and therefore more critical and insensitive feedback.
Under his second behavior is not holding other's values in the process of evaluating their work. This is rather similar to the first , but has the added twist of needing to know what the other person holds dear. After working together for many years, I think I can more recognize this with certain classmates when asked to evaluate their work, but with someone new this can be difficult. Understanding how the recipient of criticism will take the information is important when structural your response for them.
Under his third behavior guideline is that we assume we are right. This is the most difficult to justify, especially in the arts, because so much of what we do is not based in fact but rather in opinion. Keeping in mind that your opinion can differ from others and both can be accepted as right is what is important from this lesson.
Keeping all three ideas in mind, constructive criticism need not disappear, it just needs to be removed from one's emotion or immediate judgement of one's self.
This article warns us not to give constructive criticism or feedback on the grounds that it is always based in the three negative motives listed. The author is implying that constructive criticism is always based in these motives, which I simply do not think is true. It is certainly possible to give feedback without doubting our own value, criticizing the other person’s value, or assuming that we are absolutely right. It is also possible to receive feedback without any of the above occurring. This article should really be warning us to think about these three pitfalls when providing constructive criticism. The most important thing in my opinion, especially when giving artistic criticism, is to present your own opinion as just that: an opinion, not the one true correct answer. When receiving criticism it is important to not take personal offense when people are simply trying to help you improve your work, and to take into consideration the qualifications of the person providing criticism.
I don't feel constructive criticism should be done away with all together but I do agree with Charlie. It seems to do more harm than good in most of my encounters with it. Humans, whether they admit it or not, will always be the slightest bit hurt when another does not LOVE what they have done. We should all open up our minds and realize try to take the criticisms as truly constructive and not attacks on our work.
This is a very interesting article. Without constructive criticism I don't see how we could improve what we need to do. In my field of theatre, the director wants something done a certain way. It doesn't mean the way it is being done is wrong necessarily, just that it isn't being done the way he or she wants it. If someone takes things too personally they will have a difficult time working in this field. I'm sure everyone can feel defensive at times as we want to think our way is best but if we are open to other ways of thinking, we may be pleasantly surprised in what the outcome may be. The terminology may be what upsets people the most. THe word criticism is a negative word. Saying lets try this a different way and see what happens may be a better choice of words. Either way, I think we have to learn to be open to how we can potentially improve ourselves.
This article has a great point when people ask you if they can give you feedback you feel obligated to say yes and take it and usually it is not the best. But for me when I ask people for feedback I am ready to filter what they say and take what I know I can change and what I can’t and figure out how to make it better as a product. I know when I get feedback sometimes it is just a person trying to get me down because they did not do as good as job. I know when some people question me they are just trying to find how I am wrong and punch holes through it so when you get people giving you feedback you just have to learn how to filter it.
I think this article, though it says that the words feedback and constructive criticism should be stricken from our lexicon, does not say that the actual act of receiving comments on our performance is bad, or should not happen. Indeed, I think the biggest point the article tried to make was to take the question of a person's worth, whether the giver or the receiver of feedback, out of the equation, because what so often happens is that people are unable to separate their objective work from themselves and their self worths. I think that point got a bit buried by the end by the author's extemporizing about the destructiveness of the word criticism, but that his thoughts are mostly well-reasoned and thoughtful.
I agree that constructive criticism and feedback should be stricken from our lexicon. They no longer mean what they should mean. I don't say that because I think that feedback is not useful. I say it because many people intent upon giving their feedback have no idea what they are doing. I am willing to accept feedback from someone who has walked the walk, but all too often the folks who want to give the advise are the ones who don't have a clue how to actually do what they are trying to give advise about. Naysayers love to pile on why things won't work or why something is wrong instead of focusing on the solution. If you don't have a positive "this is how you could fix it" idea, you should keep your mouth shut. Your criticism isn't constructive.
The first thing that Peter Cook says in all "Initial Creative Meetings" is that we are in the business of being critiqued. We are going to produce something, whether it be a decision or artistic product, people will have thoughts about it. What is so critical about their feedback is how their interpretation is formulated, and how they see it differently from you, and others.
From a manager's perspective, I want to know what other people think of a situation or a decision, because when it comes down to it, I want to make the best decision for them. If I don't get any sort of feedback from those around me, I will not be equipped to make a decision that will properly serve those around me. As well, if I am producing some sort of communication tool (report, notes, email, etc...) I want to know when people are not finding it effective. I don't want to waste time (both mine and theirs) with something that no one finds useful.
I find often that in this business the art is regularly critiqued, but the management is not often given feedback regularly. I only hear of issues when they implode, rather than period check-ins, or little reminders surrounding the overall process.
I don't think that it's possible to eliminate constructive criticism, but I do think that it is important to think about how you form your critique. I especially agree with the second point that is made in this article, that the criticizer needs to show that they still value the person they are criticizing. When receiving criticism, it is easy to feel like the person thinks that you are doing everything wrong, and a short sentence saying they value your work can do a lot to change that. The other thing that we have to all remember is that everyone has an opinion and many of these opinions will be completely opposing, so sometimes you have to take some criticisms with a grain of salt.
Wow, I didn't expect the last point at all. That when we give feedback we think we're right. I mean, that makes sense. why would you give someone feedback if you didn't think you were right to give them that advice. I'll definitely think twice about that one. I was surprised they didn't mention lowering your own defenses in order to lower their. Like to relate to them. If I needed to give some feedback about being too high strung maybe I'd start with talking about how I, myself, tend to act high strung when I have a lot of stress. Then mention that while they were doing the work very well, you noticed that they might be behaving the same way. That way it removes the threat.
though constructive criticism can be a destructive tool if misused. the fact that it exists is a fact we deal with and honestly use as one of the best ways we learn in this world,especially as carnegie mellon school of drama. this form of growth is necessary as it helps us confront parts of ourselves and our follies we tend to avoid, some of us avoid them with a lot of effort. I find this to be a good place to be , being able to socially and positively give and receive constructive criticism is a valuable life tool. I learn from it quite a bit.
Like anything, there is a time and a place for constructive criticism, and this article does a good job of explaining when it is not the right time, but fails to delve into when constructive criticism could be helpful. I often have a problem with people offering me criticism to an item or project that I have already submitted as complete, because then I am only provided with self-doubt, as there is no longer anything I can do to change this. I never mind being given criticism, however, as long as it is unbiased, because in the end it is my prerogative to use that advice later on, or to discard in completely.
I feel that this is an interesting topic. In a way it is giving constructive criticism about giving constructive criticism. I for one have been on the end of some criticism that made me feel like I was getting attacked and I wanted to get defensive. Normally if the one getting critiqued gets defensive they are told impatiently to stop getting defensive because the criticism was not personal. The other common thin is if someone is hurt by the criticism then they should grow a thicker skin. They problem is always with the one being critiqued and not the critiquer. I am glad that this article acknowledges that there can and often are also problems with how criticism is given.
I agree that feedback is important. I have often struggled with how to give constructive criticism in my career. When I was younger I immediately became defensive anytime someone gave me feedback as I have grown older, I realize that my work is always the best I can do and if I make a mistake, I need the feedback. Without that feedback I will never improve. It is very difficult to give feedback to someone about their art because there are so many emotions involved. But we are in the business of being critiqued, so we are all going to have to suck it up and take it every now and then.
This article gave me lots to think about, mainly because I’m majoring in art. By being so subjective, art, more than any other subject, lends itself to the most criticism, or in other words, “feedback”. As a person who grew up in a family where we were taught to develop self confidence with praise, I have to admit that learning how to receive feedback was a tad painful at first. However, I also learned that the word “criticism” can be replaced with “educate”. So when someone begins a sentence with “Would you mind if I gave you some feedback”, I try to interpret it in my mind as “Would you mind if I educate you?” This softens the blow, and let’s me learn from the critique being given. Now, some may think that this is a ‘new-age’ way of thinking, and that my parents were quite the hipsters when they bought into the concept of building a child’s self esteem with praise instead of hardening them with criticism. However, I don’t think I’d be the artist that I am where it not for the fact that I can handle being “educated”.
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