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What Is Your Criticism Style?

by JimRaffel on February 8, 2010

I went to bed last night thinking about some nasty comments on Chris Brogan’s blog related to Third Tribe (a fee based community for like minded marketers on the internet that Chris helped found). I’m not worried about Chris, he’s a big boy and can take it. (price of fame and all) It got me thinking, however, what does all the negative criticism do to the people offering it up?

Made me ask myself, “Jim, what’s your criticism style?” As I have been refining the focus of this blog over the last 6-8 weeks I have been fortunate to have several people in my circle of trust offer up some fantastic positive constructive criticism. The common thread with all the constructive criticism is it occurred in private forums such as email or face-to-face.

To criticize others in a public forum demeans the criticizer. I’m sure some of the bloggers taking shots at Third Tribe are doing so for shock value. Good for you guys (I hope it gets you some hits on your blog – well not really).

Don’t criticize something you have not even tried. Third tribe has been around about a week. I’ve been a member since last Friday and have been jumping in the last couple of days. Just a few minutes ago a very respected blogger answered a question I posed that will make this blog a better blog.

Criticism should be reserved for those in your circle of trust. I need to know that the criticism comes from a real friend with an authentic desire to help me improve. Only then can the criticism help me live a more sustainable life or produce a more sustainable blog.

Next time I feel the urge to criticize I will be thinking about this post. If I can’t follow my own advice I am going to turn that energy around for some other positive pursuit. How about you?

Tagged as: critisism, Third Tribe, Trust

  • http://randymurrayonline.com/ Randy Murray

    For me, I only offer criticism if it has a chance to be considered and considered by those I offer it to. I don’t think that has to be restricted to within a circle of trust.

    If someone, a blogger, for example, indicates that they have a strong opinion AND are willing to consider other argument, I’m happy to chime in. But why waste one’s time and energy there’s no chance in being heard.

    I’m careful to review criticism on my blog and I try to stay open to it and respond after consideration. That conversation is valuable.

  • http://randymurrayonline.com Randy Murray

    For me, I only offer criticism if it has a chance to be considered and considered by those I offer it to. I don’t think that has to be restricted to within a circle of trust.

    If someone, a blogger, for example, indicates that they have a strong opinion AND are willing to consider other argument, I’m happy to chime in. But why waste one’s time and energy there’s no chance in being heard.

    I’m careful to review criticism on my blog and I try to stay open to it and respond after consideration. That conversation is valuable.

  • http://www.iqcolour.com/ Michael Jahn

    when i read something i never heard of, i jump in and swim around in it. when i read some post by some moron speaking of something they do not understand, i pull out my napalm gun and it is all ‘jane you ignorant …” – i assume we are all grown ups and all have to learn fast, so i am not shy. if it is someone i know, i am even tougher, and someone i respect, tougher still. if you can’t swim, stay in the shallow end. i expect the same from everyone else right back at me. we all have far to much to learn and very little time to learn it in. my opinion is just that, my opinion, and sometimes i am fat out wrong, but at least you know where i stand and maybe that is helpful – it is always meant to be.

    of course, if i am signing as michael jahn, well, then it is all sweet and nice and ‘won’t you just try pdf/x – pppllleeeaaasseee ? and then proceed with the vulcan mind meld.

    I guess my criticism style is a mashup of Attila the hun and Guy Kawasaki – you have 10 powepoint slides to make you point of you might find you head on a pike.

    ;oP

  • http://www.iqcolour.com Michael Jahn

    when i read something i never heard of, i jump in and swim around in it. when i read some post by some moron speaking of something they do not understand, i pull out my napalm gun and it is all ‘jane you ignorant …” – i assume we are all grown ups and all have to learn fast, so i am not shy. if it is someone i know, i am even tougher, and someone i respect, tougher still. if you can’t swim, stay in the shallow end. i expect the same from everyone else right back at me. we all have far to much to learn and very little time to learn it in. my opinion is just that, my opinion, and sometimes i am fat out wrong, but at least you know where i stand and maybe that is helpful – it is always meant to be.

    of course, if i am signing as michael jahn, well, then it is all sweet and nice and ‘won’t you just try pdf/x – pppllleeeaaasseee ? and then proceed with the vulcan mind meld.

    I guess my criticism style is a mashup of Attila the hun and Guy Kawasaki – you have 10 powepoint slides to make you point of you might find you head on a pike.

    ;oP

  • http://JimRaffel.com/ Jim Raffel

    Michael, I read your comment with great interest. Your criticism of my first video blog was part of the inspiration for this post. Of course my readers would not know that (until now) because you submitted that criticism in a private email between you and I. Had you shared that same criticism in an open comment on the blog I might not have been as receptive . Doesn’t mean the criticism is any less valid, just means the person being criticized may not hear it. If great criticism is given but not heard does the tree fall anyway in the forest?

    Thanks for jumping into the conversation!

  • http://JimRaffel.com JimRaffel

    Michael, I read your comment with great interest. Your criticism of my first video blog was part of the inspiration for this post. Of course my readers would not know that (until now) because you submitted that criticism in a private email between you and I. Had you shared that same criticism in an open comment on the blog I might not have been as receptive . Doesn’t mean the criticism is any less valid, just means the person being criticized may not hear it. If great criticism is given but not heard does the tree fall anyway in the forest?

    Thanks for jumping into the conversation!

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