Examples Of Constructive Criticism

Constructive Criticism When someone offers constructive criticism, one may respond in a defensive manner no matter how constructive the criticism may be. One tends to attempt to explain or excuse the behavior as to avoid the feeling of judgment. Reactions to constructive criticism, I believe, depends on who offers it, whether it is a family member, a friend, a co-worker, our boss or supervisor, and how well we get along with the person. Overall receiving and responding to constructive criticism is never an easy venture, rather it is one of the most difficult experiences one has to endure. Nonetheless, it is needed in order to learn, grow, and improve our communication skills. For my experiment of constructive criticism, I asked my Sister to assist me. I asked her to provide me with constructive criticism, and to monitor my reactions. Before she began to talk, I was hesitant to begin, I felt anxious, nervous, by the thought of receiving criticism especially from my sister who could be brutally honest. The more I tried to prepare to listen with an open mind, the more I fidgeted and avoided the conversation. My sister just smiled and waited. She as well gathered her thoughts on how to commence. This process took approximately forty five minutes. Finally, she began speaking. She stated that when she tried to talk to me about some things about herself, I interrupted her and started talking about myself thus monopolizing (Wood, 2013). She went on to tell me that I was on the phone speaking to my husband and suddenly I turned to her and asked her a question about something on the television. She stated I was rude to my husband. I asked her in disbelief: if I really did that. My sister reiterated I was rude to my husband not once, but again on a second occasion. Only this time I was rude to both my husband and to her and her husband. She stated that while I was talking to my husband on the phone and she and her husband were talking nearby, I not only disregarded my husband on the phone, in addition, I interrupted her and her husband’s conversation. I began to feel a little sad that I had acted so carelessly and disrespectful. I apologized to her and promised to work on controlling my urge to interrupt and want to intervene in every conversation around me. The shame and guilt I felt was hard to acknowledge, but I know I have to change this rude behavior, and I am thankful it was my sister that brought this to my attention and not anyone else. I wonder now, how many people I have disrespected in the past with my nonchalant talkative demeanor. Exasperated by all the information I had just received, I began to sigh and reflect on my behavior. My self-talk included: How could I do this and continue to do this without regard to the other person speaking? What kind of a listener …show more content…
I usually argue that it is not that I do not listen to him; I like to gather my thoughts; reflect and think for myself before I consider his opinion or suggestions. I tell him all the time and affirm I do not intentionally disregard his ideas or his suggestions. However, I do realize that I should be attentive and mindful of his ideas. Acknowledgement of his input shows I care about what he thinks and I should respond to him instead of pseudo-listening (Wood, 2013, p.