Overly critical of others?

The importance of relationship management

• It's easy to see weak points in other people's ideas.
• This can be a strength if used constructively.
• Your colleagues could be great at creative thinking but not so strong at seeing the risks, practical implications or downsides.
• You can help ensure that what gets adopted will work.
• How can you ensure that your input does not become destructive criticism?
• How important is it to you to manage this relationship?
• What relationship management skills can you draw upon from past experience?

Steps for giving constructive criticism

• Avoid ridicule, point scoring or aggressive put downs.
• First say what you like about the idea.
• Compliment them for being so creative.
• Position yourself by saying that, while such ideas might not occur to you, your analytical skills might help to explore the idea further.
• Then ASK what the other person sees as potential pitfalls.
• Ask other team members (if in a meeting) what they think.
• Ask further questions like: ''What about X?'' ''Then Y and Z?''
• Reiterate positive points and ask: ''How do you think we could modify your idea to avoid these difficulties?''
• Close by encouraging them to continue offering new ideas, stressing how important it is to be continuously innovative. Reiterate your role as one of using your analytical skills to flesh out good ideas.
• The managerial skill is to coach by helping others think issues through fully.
• It is not a managerial skill to have the right answers or best ideas.
• Effective managers think as much about the process of creating and reviewing new ideas as about the content of the ideas themselves.
• Effective relationship management requires emotional intelligence, being aware of how to deal appropriately with differing people.