Criticism.

The very words tends to make our skin crawl.

Whether at work or in your home, criticism from peers, direct reports, and even your spouse and children can be shocking. Human nature is to automatically go on the defense.

"Sticks and stone can break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Who made up that crap? Wounds heal. But words? We give them life to last through the eternities. And the best part is, we do it without thinking twice.

TRUTH: Not all criticism is constructi...