Criticism: Handling it and staying friends
Featured in the Skills of Appraisal and Performance Review training manual
By Val Rowland & Ken Birkett
Category: Performance Management
Credit price: 3 download credits (Single user)
There are various dictionary definitions of the word ‘criticism’ including: the act of making an unfavourable or severe judgement or comment; and work that sets out to evaluate or analyse. The second definition explains the type of communication that a performance review is concerned with. If criticism (evaluation) is given fairly and constructively, people are more likely to improve their performance. Both giving and receiving criticism is an emotional event. Criticism is not just verbal, for example, rejecting an idea without an explanation can be a form of criticism.
The participants first consider what criticism actually means and are given a definition of criticism that is most appropriate for appraisal. They next evaluate their own ability to take criticism by means of a questionnaire. With a partner, the participants look at a situation where criticism has to be given. They examine a step-by-step approach aimed at achieving results. Finally, the participants study the implications of constructive criticism and how it affects relationships in the workplace. The training activity closes with a brief review and a summary of the key learning points.
Who is it for: This training resource is intended for use by trainers to enable participants to evaluate their own capacity to accept focused evaluations or, sometimes, unfair criticism. They then work through coping strategies.
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 4 |
| Max Group Size: | 12 |
| Typical Duration: | 01:15:00 |
| No of Pages: | 18 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Purpose: This training resource is intended for use by trainers in any kind of interpersonal skills training, as the principle of both receiving and giving criticism applies to many social situations. It is part of a set of essential techniques needed for performance appraisal interviews.
Download the training activity, Criticism: Handling it and staying friends as featured in the Fenman training manual; Skills of Appraisal and Performance Review