Comments on: Zen and the Art of Constructive Criticism

By: Zen e Arte da crítica construtiva | Moreno Barros

Zen e Arte da crítica construtiva | Moreno Barros — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 16:40:33 +0000

[...] Erin Dorney [...]

By: Esther Grassian

Esther Grassian — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 19:15:55 +0000

Thanks–this is a very interesting article. I’d just like to add that I’ve been teaching a graduate Information Literacy course in the UCLA iSchool as an Adjunct Lecturer about every other year since 1990. (My colleague, Joan Kaplowitz and I proposed this course in 1989.) Each time I teach it, I ask MLIS and Ph.D. students to observe others teaching and to focus on 2 questions: “What did you like?” and “How would you do it differently?” Students use these questions in assignments that include observing a librarian teach a F2F session, reviewing an online library instruction site, and commenting on in-class student teaching/learning, both group and individual. So this is an example of one method of critiquing that is taught in an iSchool, that is, when this course is offered. Unfortunately, it’s an elective and in some years, when budgets are tight, it isn’t offered at all.

By: summer_lins « her life with books

summer_lins « her life with books — Sun, 12 Aug 2012 03:40:21 +0000

[...] Zen and the Art of Constructive Criticism [...]

By: Say It With A Smile « Hack Library School

Say It With A Smile « Hack Library School — Fri, 01 Jun 2012 13:16:40 +0000

[...] friends over at In the Library with a Lead Pipe also have this great piece on offering constructive criticism. You don’t have to be outrageously outgoing nor a pushover, yet being friendly to your [...]

By: Erin Dorney

Erin Dorney — Sat, 26 May 2012 20:39:23 +0000

Amy – I completely agree about regular meetings between staff and managers. Consistency is important because then you come to expect feedback. Individuals can start getting used to that they might not be 100% right all the time when constructive criticism is shared more often. Thanks for the comment!

By: Erin Dorney

Erin Dorney — Sat, 26 May 2012 20:36:48 +0000

Lorne – Thanks for the comment. I love the idea of plussing – sounds like it could be really helpful during the brainstorming/idea generation process.

By: Amy

Amy — Mon, 21 May 2012 12:08:34 +0000

I agree that formal instruction in constructive criticism would be very useful to library professionals. Being able to take anything other than positive feedback on board doesn’t come naturally to me, nor I suppose, to many people. Nobody wants to hear bad things about themselves!

I think that setting up regular one on one meetings between staff and managers is a good way to ensure constructive criticism is expected and seen as a normal part of the work environment… as opposed to sitting down with the boss only when there is a problem. In my experience, approaching my managers and proactively asking for feedback has got easier with practice and is preferable to sitting around waiting for it and expecting the worst.

By: Zen e Arte da crítica construtiva — Informalidades

Zen e Arte da crítica construtiva — Informalidades — Fri, 18 May 2012 18:20:02 +0000

[...] Erin Dorney [...]

By: Lorne Doone

Lorne Doone — Mon, 14 May 2012 17:55:57 +0000

Just read “Imagine” by Jonah Lehrer … Chapter 6 – about plussing during criticism… “Whenever work is criticized, the criticism should contain a plus, a new idea that builds on the flaws in a productive manner…. When plussing works, it’s incredibly effective at generating creative breakthroughs”

By: Erin Dorney

Erin Dorney — Mon, 07 May 2012 13:23:33 +0000

Hi Vanessa – Thanks! Building a community where critique is expected and welcomed is a great idea in terms of becoming more comfortable giving and receiving feedback. The expectations are really clear for everyone in that case, so you can focus more on making improvements to your writing and less on the negative feelings that may come along with it. Thanks for the comment!