Comments on: When Encouragement Hurts: How to Praise Others Properly

By: 25 Link Love Articles This Week | Writer's Resource Center

25 Link Love Articles This Week | Writer's Resource Center — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 05:47:47 +0000

[...] When Encouragement Hurts: How to Praise Others Properly [...]

By: Mark Dykeman

Mark Dykeman — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 13:18:40 +0000

All of this talk about constructive criticism reminds me of the “sandwich” technique we use for speech evaluations in Toastmasters.

At the end of a speech, we stuff a sandwich into the speaker’s mouth. Then we proceed to give a brutal evaluation. The sandwich muffles the shouting, screaming, and swearing.

In all seriousness, the “sandwich” technique involves looking at positive things first, suggestions for improvement in the middle, then finishing the evaluation on a positive note. Most speakers find it a very useful technique.

BTW: all of this James and Harry going back and forth… makes me think of Potters…

Mark Dykeman’s last blog post..Seth says: how to really make friends and influence people online

By: Brett Legree

Brett Legree — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:17:23 +0000

@ James – yeah, probably not a good idea… coffee and beer are okay though, right?

Brett Legree’s last blog post..on being grounded.

By: James

James — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 10:15:17 +0000

*whispers to Melissa* Brett likes RPG, too… You could play a game together.

@ Brett – No explosives.

By: Brett Legree

Brett Legree — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:24:32 +0000

@ Melissa: it does sound interesting, doesn’t it? I shall do that. I’m sure we could figure out some kind of format and topic.

@ Karen: you are right, good things do happen here. I wonder if the Men realize how much of a laboratory they really have going in their comments section

Brett Legree’s last blog post..on being grounded.

By: Karen Swim

Karen Swim — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:20:53 +0000

Good things happen here. Brett and Melissa co-authoring a post? Great idea! I don't look fat in these pants and all is right with the world! Welcome aboard Patricia! You'll love it here! Karen Swim's last blog post..Fierce Friday - I Did It My Way

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:15:36 +0000

@Brett, Co-author a post? I’ve never done that but I’d love to try. That sounds fun Feel free to email me about that one!

Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..Jeff Buckley: Grace (Album)

By: Brett Legree

Brett Legree — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 02:08:53 +0000

@ Melissa: journaling is a very powerful tool, as I’ve only fairly recently discovered – but I’ll always do it now. I agree, we’re on the same page today (maybe we should co-author a post some time )

Brett Legree’s last blog post..on being grounded.

By: Melissa Donovan

Melissa Donovan — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:54:04 +0000

@Brett, I can relate to that. One particularly stressful year, I made many visits to the doctor and he just kept saying, “it’s stress, you need exercise.” I WAS exercising! Finally I got a Dr. who said “Take some vitamins and write in your journal.” Voila! All better.

Also, you said “FIVE good things and TWO areas to work on.” Wow, I’ve been thinking about James’ post throughout the day and one of my notions was that negative feedback always packs more punch than positive. I was literally thinking that the only way for one negative comment to go down smoothly is for it to be accompanied by at least five positive comments. We are SO on the same wavelength

@Allison, Let’s be late together and make a grand entrance. With an orchestra. I can hear the string section now.

@James, You said “Complainers want to change you. They never want to change themselves.” I just want to repeat it because it bears repeating. And your other comment, yep, I find that timing puts the “t” in tact.

Melissa Donovan’s last blog post..Jeff Buckley: Grace (Album)

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:45:05 +0000

James,

My daughter (who finally ate when I modelled the behavior of going to the table) is a Pisces, my first really close encounter with one (my entire family is Libras/ Scorpios except me, even my ex was a Libra). I love her spirit. I wish the world were made of Pisces. Lots of people aren’t much for astrology and scientifically, I totally get that, but this kid walked out of the delivery room in a cloud of brilliant watercolors.

Allison,

James has a time machine. Sometimes he’s a day ahead, sometimes he’s an hour behind… must be cool to be him. Borrow it, then you can put on the heels before the nearly-hubby finishes his sentence.

Until later,

Kelly

Kelly’s last blog post..Beware of Rant!