Young professionals, do you find more use in praise or criticism?

[Imp]

Geez must suck to be you

What happens when you spend a life time hearing about how amazing you are AND how much better you could do in the same sentence (i.e. you still failed)...

 

[Sho'Nuff]

As a legal professional, I hate getting constant praise from my colleagues. I am not perfect attorney. I know it and my colleagues know it. They are not perfect attorneys either. It does not benefit me if all I hear is constant praise. I need to hear what I can do better so that I can improve.

In fact, one of my colleagues always makes a point to tell me after every conversation that it is "so nice" to have me on board and that I do "excellent work." Its so blatant and forced that in my view it is an ovbious sham. He just wants me to think he is happy so that I won't mind doing the shit ton of work he piled on my desk that morning.

Receiving contant praise from clients, on the other hand, is always welcome.

 

[nickbits]

I've always been indifferent to both

 

[magomago]

What happens when you spend a life time hearing about how amazing you are AND how much better you could do in the same sentence (i.e. you still failed)...

Geez black and white much? You either view genuine praise as phony, or you are relegated to live a life of failure?

I bolded the line that said you view GENUINE SINCERITY as PHONY. Genuine, by definition, is not phony. That you still take it as phony is the entire basis of why I said 'geez sucks to be you'

I prefer constructive criticism. I want to know what I am doing well because (a) I can continue to do that and (b) I am aware of my strengths. But i want to know where I could do better, where is lacking, and how important the item is to hte person giving my that criticism (ie: 'its kind of a big deal') each is so I can ultimately decide where I want to improve.

 

[vshah]

i find expectations are much too low, but at the same time things are so mismanaged so as to only rarely allow someone the chance to excel.

most of my time is taken up by busy work vs. actual creative production

 

[KGB]

I LOVE fresh engineering grads... they're like fresh meat.

Once in a while (and not so much lately) I find one who realizes he doesn't know anything and THEN the real education begins. The others aren't worth teaching.

 

[Imp]

Geez black and white much? You either view genuine praise as phony, or you are relegated to live a life of failure?

I bolded the line that said you view GENUINE SINCERITY as PHONY. Genuine, by definition, is not phony. That you still take it as phony is the entire basis of why I said 'geez sucks to be you'

And I was just explaining to you how it came to be...

 

[magomago]

And I was just explaining to you how it came to be...

Fair enough Imp, but you still can control how you perceive it. If its genuine, and you know its genuine, you shouldn't treat it like its phony. FWIW, I think phony praise is also bullshit

 

[Imp]

Fair enough Imp, but you still can control how you perceive it. If its genuine, and you know its genuine, you shouldn't treat it like its phony. FWIW, I think phony praise is also bullshit

Ya, I know you're right.

I'd like to compare it to PTSD (so I hear/see from TV): train your brain enough for something, and it anticipates it every time (e.g. any loud noise = bomb).

 

[AreaCode707]

A little constructive criticism for y'all...

If you want honest feedback, ASK for it. Invite your colleagues to tell you how you could have done something better so you can apply the knowledge next time. People are usually dying to tell you how you can improve, they just can't figure out a way to do it without risking bruising your ego and getting themselves in trouble. If you open the door, you'll get what you want and look super professional.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

I find more use out of sanity. If someone comes in trying to ride my ass they're not going to get much out of me. Same thing if they're all wishy washy feelings wanting me to play a corporate game to get ahead. People coming to me with what they need, some reasonable expectations, and letting me work is how I tend to work best.

 

[vi edit]

I'm self aware enough to know if I'm screwing around and not meeting expectations or kicking ass and taking names.

The only time I really care about praise or criticism is when a bonus or promotion is hinged on it.

 

[Harrod]

I seem to do better knowing if I made a mistake, personally, I really don't like getting praise, just want to be informed of how to do my job better. Unfortunately, I work with someone who is extremely hard to tell if they are serious or joking most of the time.