Deb Bright's Blog, page 3

Diet Tips and Self-Criticism

Let���s face it. It���s almost unavoidable to overindulge during holiday seasons. When partying with friends and family members, it���s hard and almost borderline rude to resist all the tempting treats and scrumptious meals passing before our very eyes and olfactory sensitivities. It���s amazing how we tend to get caught up in the moment and somehow […]

Manners Still Matter in the Workplace

During the holiday cocktail party where I was mingling with other colleagues, the subject of what is going on regarding manners in the workplace, or more accurately���the lack thereof, came up. There seemed to be a majority of consensus among these colleagues of a noticeable decline of standards related to simple social etiquette that not […]

Something You Should Know

Recently, I had the pleasure of being interviewed by Mike Carruthers for his nationally syndicated radio show, Something You Should Know. During our lively interview, Mike asked such challenging and thought-provoking questions. We discussed my background and interest in the topic of criticism, its reputation today, and the role “helpful” criticism can play in strengthening […]

The Truth Doesn’t Have to Hurt

Take a moment to think about and answer the following questions regarding the people you manage and/or interact with on a daily basis at work: Do you find that managing other people can be very stressful, especially when you are trying to offer suggestions for improvement? Are you desirous of establishing open communications with your […]

Reassurance Seekers and Criticism

Criticism is an inevitable fact of life, and we can use it as a valuable learning opportunity to help us as we pursue our goals. However, while the ability to receive criticism and benefit from it can become an important asset in our “toolkit,” there’s no need for anyone to invite criticism unnecessarily into their […]

Keeping Your Promises

Do you find yourself on the receiving end of criticism more times than not? If so, are the criticisms you receive often similar in content or subject matter? If you answered ‘yes’ to both questions, you may be unknowingly (or knowingly) inviting criticism! One type of person that habitually sets themselves up for criticism is […]

Criticism and Teams

In a team atmosphere, managers and team leads must be ever mindful of the quality of communication that exists within the team. What is especially important to make note of is the use of criticism. While the proper use of criticism can keep teams functioning at a high level, the improper use of criticism can […]

Eleanor Roosevelt on “How to Take Criticism”

No matter how perfectly we try to do and say things, none of us are exempt from criticism. It’s an aspect of life we need to learn to understand and develop an expertise in handling. Someone who knew something about dealing with criticism was Eleanor Roosevelt. Although widely admired in later years, during her tenure […]

Common Mistakes Made by Receivers of Criticism – Part 2

We’ve been looking at some of the common mistakes receivers make during a criticism exchange. It’s important to remember that during an exchange, the real control belongs to the receiver.   Invariably, receivers of criticism tend to get into trouble when they fail to exercise that control. Using that control effectively is a skill. Here are […]

Common Mistakes Made by Receivers of Criticism – Part I

Just as giving helpful criticism is a skill, being an effective receiver also requires skill. All of this takes patience, practice, and the ability to think practically. Becoming a skilled receiver starts with understanding that in a criticism exchange the real control of the outcome belongs with the receiver. After all, it is the receiver […]