2. You feel criticized.
“I don’t like your hair that way.” “You shouldn’t have bought that new sweater.” Criticisms are put-downs. Feedback is a not problem, but criticism is.
Feedback lets you know in a gentle way that something you have been doing is problematic and it usually starts with an “I” statement: “I get nervous that men will find you sexually attractive when you wear your hair that way,” or “I felt uncomfortable when I saw your new sweater because I’m worried about whether we’re going to have enough money to cover our bills this month.”
By contrast, critical words and a judgmental tone of voice make criticism problematic.
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