Evocations

How would you respond to someone who condemns your efforts or some thing you have genuinely laboured for with all your effort but end up being reprehended with disapproval? This would probably explain why Greg Chappell did not consider renewing his contract and could also explain why Bob Woolmer ended up being murdered. Sir Winston Churchill once said about criticism, “So long as I am acting from duty and conviction, I am indifferent to taunts and jeers. I think they will probably do me more good than harm.”

The word critic is derived from the Greek word 'kritikos' which means one who discerns also meaning a person who offers reasoned judgment. You could have been criticised for something you committed or omitted but my question is how do you take this criticism? Would you accept criticism or would you not? Often depending upon the critic and the motive behind the criticism one can judge whether or not to listen to criticism. However, I strongly hold the view that regardless of it being constructive criticism or not, there is always something to learn from all kinds of criticism.

Constructive criticism is meant to correct wrong behaviour or improve on one's creative work. It's more important how one approaches the other for correction than the correction it's self. Suppose a close friend sees you doing something wrong and he yells at you in front of your other friends or family, imagine what you would do. Mixed feelings ranging from embarrassment, anger, and confusion to self pity would start racing in your mind. Eventually hatred may develop between you and your close friend. Criticism is not constructive if the critic does not offer a solution in addition to identifying where the offence lies. So, in case a colleague is doing something unacceptable, call him out in isolation without harming his reputation and advise him on what should be done right rather than just stop at reprehending him. I like calling this being politely rude. In this way, he will accept the criticism and act positively towards improvement. Also very important is that constructive criticism should have no blemish of prejudice. For example; when Sonia Gandhi, with Italian origins, won the national elections in 2004, she was criticised from all corners not to mention some members of her own party. Prejudicial critics should change the hue of their glasses and cleanse them selves of the bias which only adds fuel to fire.
In my personal conclusion, it's important to heed to criticism, be it constructive or not. However, you should act only towards criticism that would improve the situation or your personality and always learn to analyse certain beliefs held by people who seem to have contrary opinions while assimilating any good ideas where necessary. Argument can never solve any dispute. All parties involved should weigh the pros and cons of any plans before taking a contested decision. As they say, two wrongs won't make it right.