Customer Reviews

Toxic Criticism: Break the Cycle with Friends, Family, Coworkers and Yourself

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are several books on dealing with Criticism on the market. I prefer Garner's Criticism Management or Weisinger's Power of Positive Criticism. Both of these offer useful tips and more practical advice. This text has a lot of 'feel good' advice with limited practical value. Yes, it would be nice if we could all not harbor negative thoughts about criticism or if believing in ourselves would eliminate the sting of criticism; but this is just not very practical. Even the very best leaders are impacted by criticism---and I am sure they strongly believe in themselves and their self-worth. It is not that this is a bad text; it is just that others seem to have more practical suggestions for dealing with criticism--giving and receiving.

This book delivers what it promises--it has already changed my response to two separate incidents of criticism that threw me off track recently. I like Maisel's tone, which conveys compassion but at the same time gently pushes the reader to face some hard truths and take responsibility and control. The exercises have helped me zero in on my weakest areas and see how I might take criticism--and give it--in a more constructive way. I would recommend Toxic Criticism to anyone hurting from the sting of criticism, whether it came from another person or is self-inflicted.

Who doesn't need more self confidence? Well, I can think of a few boasters who can be quite annoying, but we are all so insecure in our world these days, especially the boasters! I found this book to be especially helpful because the author shares his expertise from experience derived personally and in coaching performers who can have disabling anxiety and self confidence crises interfering with their creativity. I am very pleased with my choice of this particular book and I had not even realized the qualifications of the author when I made the selection.

There's a lot of material to work with regarding dealing with criticism from different aspects. The author has obviously studied criticism thoroughly in regard to one's psychological makeup and the effects upon it. If anything it's a bit complicated. So if you're looking for some "easy to learn" techniques, then perhaps another book would be more to your liking, if there is one out there, but then it would be more limited in it's use.