Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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It is hard to run a business and be sensitive to criticism. Unfortunately, I always had a bit of a thin skin when it comes to that, especially if I don’t think the criticism is warranted. For me, it probably started in Std 6. We moved from Durban North to Hillcrest in KwaZulu-Natal and I changed schools from Northlands Boys High School, which I think is now known as Northwood, to Hillcrest High School. There were about 180 pupils in Std 6 and about six weeks after I arrived, at the end of the year, the end of the year exams were written. I thought I did pretty well to come 10th in the entire Standard, despite having just moved there, but my mother did not agree – telling me that she was so happy that we have moved from Durban North, because she would be so ashamed that I had gone from first in Std 4 and always being a top student, the whole way down to 10th. I was pretty impressed, because I think not only was I there for a limited time, but I never really worked particularly hard.
It is the same with clients – I am quite happy to listen to valid criticism, and one does get valid criticism, but I’ve never had much time for people who are unhappy with their result, for example, when we know that given their injuries and the case law, we have achieved an amazing result. You also get clients, and I am sure this is true of all businesses, who complain just as a negotiating tactic – although that is wasted on me, because I’ve never ever lowered my fees on the basis of a client’s complaints. Criticism that is constructive is far more useful, but criticism that is solely intended to achieve a transparent result can’t really be taken seriously.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Thursday 15-May-14
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Comments
Catherine said:
on Monday 19-May-14 09:01 AM
Criticism depending on how it is delivered and if it's constructive can be beneficial. However constant baseless criticism can do more damage to a person than any good.
Jade said:
on Friday 16-May-14 06:01 PM
I am not sure if criticizing anyone, whether it is your child or a business, will ever be beneficial to the person criticizing or for the person that is criticized. As Juliet said below, "I don't like to be criticized but show me one person who does". If someone does not see the merit in the criticism, then it will hardly influence anything. Dale Carnegie explains in "How to win friends and influence people", one should never criticize, condemn or complain: "Criticism is futile because it puts a man on the defensive, and usually makes him strive to justify himself. Criticism is dangerous, because it wounds a mans precious pride, hurts his sense of importance, and arouses his resentment"
People who are thick skinned may be able to handle criticism better, however, I am unsure as to how well it really goes down with them.
Sinead said:
on Friday 16-May-14 05:52 PM
I agree with Salomie 100%. You have to be careful of how you say things! Everyone reacts differently...
Henrietta said:
on Friday 16-May-14 05:52 PM
Criticism can be a hard pill to swallow but can also be encouraging. From my point of view.... It depends on my mood and on the person criticizing me for that will depend on how I'll take their critics. I do agree some people's complains are really unnecessary but then so are we when we clients / customers..... well I am partly guilty.
Nicky said:
on Friday 16-May-14 05:07 PM
I don't think that criticism is such a bad thing and I think that dealing with criticism depends on being able to establish the intention behind the criticism. If the criticism is for improvement it should be considered and worked on and taken as a piece of advice and an opportunity for improvement. If the criticism is to break someone down it should just be disregarded and not given a second thought.
salomie said:
on Friday 16-May-14 01:35 PM
criticism can be helpful on occasion, it all depends on how it is delivered
Brenda said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 05:30 PM
Criticism is criticism, if you want to criticize, make sure you have a valid reason for same, and ensure you can come up with a solution. Criticism is just plain demeaning, and uncalled for. Correction on the other hand is a better term for "helping someone to correct their faults" if that is what your intention is. I am very honest to say, that i do not take destructive criticism lightly, i am easily offended when someone criticizes me and i know i have done my job well. But when i receive correction, in that my faults are pointed out, i can take that correction very well, and learn from my mistakes. So if you want to criticize/correct then make sure its constructive and not destructive.
Monique said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 03:20 PM
I agree with Elektra, criticism is good if it is warranted.
Lucretia said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 02:05 PM
There are people out there that, no matter what, will complain. If you constantly look for problems, you will only ever find problems. Personally I feel, if people constantly criticise it is to take the focus off their short comings. I look at the person who is criticising me, if they are someone of value, I will take heed of what they say, if they themselves are not of good standing, I let it go in one ear and out the other.
Elektra said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 12:53 PM
I enjoy criticism, I honestly have have a thick skin, and if something is brought to my attention which could help me improve myself in the long run, I am sure to take note of it. But useless criticism which is not beneficial to me at all (ie - someone trying to make a fool out of me, run me down or make me feel bad) I got news for you, water off a ducks back to me.
caroline said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 10:32 AM
I think its is not so much the incident that matters because you can't change that, but rather how you choose to see it.
Perhaps your mom felt you were so bright, and wanted so much for you as her firstborn, that she pushed you to your very full potential because she knew what you were capable of. And look at how successful you are today. Personally thats how I would choose to see it.
Juliet said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 10:27 AM
I think you should stop and think before you criticize someone. You should make absolutely sure you have thought about it, that this person definitely could have done better, and that your criticism will motivate them to do better. Further, you should be 100% sure you have the right to criticize that person! Some people walk around as if they own this world criticizing this and that, turning their noses up at things, thinking they are so much better than everyone else. Well here is a wake up call, no one is better than anyone else. An example of situations where I believe criticism is warranted is in the teacher-learner relationship, parent-child relationship, boss-employee relationship etc. Maliciousness is something I have never tolerated and never will because criticism with the intent to hurt someone is the tactic of a bully. The concept of criticism must be viewed in the context of intent. Criticism with good intent can be warranted, criticism with bad intent can be considered abuse. not all abuse is physical. I don't like to be criticized but show me one person who does.
Bianca R said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 10:21 AM
Criticism is something that has to be taken in your stride. At some point, everyone is criticized for something and the choice is the person's to let it add to their growth or let it bring and break you down. Criticism is generally hard to take but once you've received it, you can work on it! My opinion is that the person who complains constantly, is the one doing the least amount of work!
Liesl said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 10:19 AM
Working in an after sales service environment for many years in my entering the work market after college, one of the things we were taught was that some clients just never will be satisfied no matter what you do and in those extreme cases it sometimes necessitated that a hard line approach had to be taken with them. I think one of the hardest things to do is to work with public some complain with reason and some without warrant, people skills come in handy when dealing with these challenges.
Yolandi P said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 10:06 AM
Criticism can be hard to swallow especially when it has merit. I agree that some people complain just so they can get what they want but in all fairness that just shows a weak character. How we perceive criticism is also up to us as offence is taken not given...
Angelique said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 09:56 AM
Not everyone can take criticism as it really is difficult to hear faults about yourself. However, when its true I think it is easier to deal with it and improve yourself. If you hear the same type of criticism from different people then there is something that can be improved. I don't think it should be taken personally especially from a mother, mothers would always say their child can do better in every aspect of their life. When it comes to clients, it's best to listen however when it becomes a trend with a certain client then one starts to realise its not even criticism but a difficult complain type client. To deal with that is another story and quite frankly once a client has criticized or complained more than once, he will keep doing it and never truly be happy with the service the firm gives.
Melissa said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 09:36 AM
My opinion is stop complaining and do something about it...
Kaylee said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 09:36 AM
I think people are more prone to reacting to criticism when they are hard on themselves.If your highest value is performing well at work and someone criticises your performance at work, you generally would take that criticism harder than someone whose highest value is family not work. I think it is completely defeating when someone criticises you when you know how much work you put into something. There seems to be a very fine line between constructive criticism and defeating criticism.
Lizanne said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 09:23 AM
I also agree. I think the people that constantly complains about everything are those people seeking attention. That is how they grew up and unfortunately that is how their children will be one day and it is very sad.
Sarah said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 09:22 AM
Sometimes criticism is good to hear. There is a difference between complaining and criticism. I dont like those people that complain about everything but do nothing to solve the problem.
Alexis said:
on Thursday 15-May-14 09:12 AM
I agree. Some people complain just because they can. I have never seen the point of it.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
