The Power of Positive Criticism [Paperback]

Hendrie Weisinger Ph.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 8, 1999

Some people just can't take criticism. And some people just can't give it -- not in a positive, motivating, mutually beneficial manner, anyway. That's too bad, because criticism is essential to many aspects of business, such as performance appraisals, quality control, and team functioning, to name a few.

This empowering book helps readers take the sting out of criticism -- and transform it from a destructive, demoralizing disaster into an energizing, educating experience that builds relationships and increases individual and organizational success. Using real-life scenarios and the author's 21 tips to positive criticism, readers will learn to: Think of criticism as a positive thing -- Become strategic criticizers and develop their skill in using the power of positive criticism -- Stay cool, calm, and collected when giving or getting criticism -- Criticize their boss -- without getting fired, and more.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

"Some people just can’t take criticism. And some people just can’t give it--not in a positive, motivating, mutually beneficial manner, anyway. That’s too bad, because criticism is essential to many aspects of business, such as performance appraisals, quality control, and team functioning, to name a few.

This empowering book helps readers take the sting out of criticism--and transform it from a destructive, demoralizing disaster into an energizing, educating experience that builds relationships and increases individual and organizational success.

Using real-life scenarios and the author’s 21 tips to positive criticism, readers will learn to:

* Think of criticism as a positive thing

* Become strategic criticizers and develop their skill in using the power of positive criticism

* Stay cool, calm, and collected when giving or getting criticism

* Criticize their boss--without getting fired, and more."

About the Author

Hendrie Weisinger, Ph.D. (Westport, CT) is a licensed psychologist, the originator of "criticism training," and a leading authority in the areas of emotional intelligence and anger management. He has made more than 200 appearances on television and news programs, including "Oprah," "Donahue," and "The Today Show." He has led hundreds of criticism seminars for Fortune 500 companies, and he teaches in MBA programs across the country, including UCLA, Cornell, Penn State, New York University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: AMACOM; 1 edition (November 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0814404839
• ISBN-13: 978-0814404836
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,332,253 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful commentary on how to take and give criticism., October 31, 1999

By 

David L. Kaplan ([e-mail]) (Miami, Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Power of Positive Criticism (Paperback)

Dr. Weisinger has done it again. He has taken an emotionally charged issue and, through anecdotes and plain speaking, made criticism something that one ought to embrace. I loved it, and immediately refered it to 49 of my closest friends, as well as my HR Director.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read!, April 20, 2001

By 

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Positive Criticism (Paperback)

Hendrie Davis Weisinger is simple, clear and very focused as he applies recent "emotional intelligence" techniques to the specific area of criticism, and helps the reader think of criticism as a valuable, vital tool, and not just a necessary evil. The tips in this self-improvement book push the reader toward greater self-awareness, a major element of emotional intelligence. The suggestions are elemental, most of them are easy to implement and even the hardest ones to enact require only a modest time commitment. The book's message is consistent to the point of repetition, though its simple language gives it real power. We [...] recommend this book to anyone who gives or receives criticism, which is to say, everyone. In particular, if you are a manager, an executive and or supervisor who deals with difficult personalities, here's how to tell them what you need them to know.

5.0 out of 5 stars Worthwhile Read, March 31, 2010

By 

Katie Olmstead (Northampton, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Power of Positive Criticism (Paperback)

Good basic common sense book with ideas and behaviors that needs to be explained to us.... we don't learn this without some direction!