Give Constructive Feedback
“To give feedback is better than to criticize, for feedback is mild and friendly, but criticism is harsh and insulting. Feedback corrects those who are doing wrong, but criticism only finds them guilty.”
—Epictetus
Enchiridion
Imagine you're part of a team, and you notice someone keeps making mistakes. How would you address it?
Stoicism teaches us to opt for feedback rather than criticism. Feedback is like a gentle nudge in the right direction—it's helpful, constructive, and shows that you care about the person's growth. It's not about proving them wrong but guiding them towards improvement.
When you offer feedback, you're actually offering a gift—the opportunity for someone to learn and better themselves without feeling small or defensive.
Now, criticism, that's the easy path, isn't it? It might even give you a quick sense of superiority. But let's be real—does it really help the other person? Not usually.
Being critical can come off as harsh, and more often than not, it leads to resentment rather than real change.
Next time you're in a position to correct someone, pause and ask yourself: "Am I offering a helping hand, or just pointing a finger?"
Choose the helping hand. Let your feedback be the light that guides, not the hammer that breaks.