CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM

While reviewing some complaints about a Leo function recently, I noticed that when people criticize, many would start shooting first, never finding out the facts. Sometimes such unjust criticism can be very hurtful. And sometimes the criticism is intentionally and deliberately malicious and spiteful to discredit the target.

Often, the person being shot at is not the person to blame for the criticizer's unhappiness. Sometimes it is due to reasons beyond the control of the poor chap or out of his/her ability to resolve. In any case, the criticizer should take time and effort to first find out the reason behind the cause of his/her dissatisfaction. Then inform the right person quietly and offer possible solution(s) so that he/she can learn from the mistake. If it is beyond the ability of anyone to resolve the issue, just make the issue known (without mentioning names) so readers may offer solutions or future organizers may take note not to let it happen again. The 4 Ps again: praise in public, punish in private. Just came to my mind: that's why I started this blog - my writings are based on actual experiences - so those who made genuine mistakes may learn without being embarrassed in public!

On the other hand, there are those who criticize because they don't like the other person. Anything the person says or does is good enough reason to receive a negative response. Without going into the reason(s) behind the disagreements (often, it is a two-way traffic), this form of criticism gets worse when different camps supporting one or the other emerges. Then it leads to open warfare and good members (often those who remained neutral) are lost. Or it remains behind-the-scene and becomes a guerrilla battle, secretly shooting at each other whenever opportunity arises. Again, good members, caught in the crossfire, are lost.

The worse kind of critics are those who smile in your face and stabs you in the back.... wait, the new version is to smile in your face and get someone else stab you in your back... or the latest version: smile in your face, get someone else stab you in your back, while enjoying an affair with your good friend behind your back! Such 3-headed snakes seem to be getting popular... must have been influenced by similar happenings in politics!

Anyway, it is often quoted from our Lions Code of Ethics (wonder how many Lions really read, must less practice this!): To be careful with my criticism and liberal with my praise, to build up and not destroy. I would like to add that we should criticize (fairly and positively) when something wrong happens, not keep in the heart and condemn from afar. However, we must not only be careful with our criticism, we should also offer solutions.