These are excerpts from the author’s book “Deep,” which contains eight of his small books published in the form of Wisdom Literature covering different aspects of life: Facing troublemakers, dealing with pain, personal financial issues, gastronomy, reading, criticizing, inspiring, and feeling always good to go.

Series 6: Criticizing.

Direct and Indirect Criticism

• Indirect criticism does not mean that you do not go directly to the point; it rather means that you enrich and embellish your criticism with intelligent hints and inspirational gestures as you go directly to the point.

• You derive a lot of indirect criticism from others when they express their opinions without necessarily directing it to you. Do not waste the benefit of those valuable gifts that come to you unintentionally.

• The lessons that you draw from your life experiences, at all levels, are invaluable benefits of the indirect criticism that those experiences offer you.

• Indirect criticism is better when the people being criticized feel that they are accepted, whether they comply with the criticism or prefer to remain as they are.

• The method of criticism, whether direct or indirect, depends mainly on the nature of the person who is criticizing, but it is important to take the nature of the person being criticized into consideration as much as possible.

• Regardless of being direct or indirect, what matters most in criticism is the value of its content and positive method of delivery.

• People who do not like confrontation or those who take pleasure in teasing others in circuitous ways do not practice indirect criticism, in general, but only one of its negative forms.

• Inquire calmly and positively about the significance of the criticism you receive if it is not clear to you, regardless of whether that criticism is direct or indirect.

• Whatever approach you prefer in criticism, direct or indirect, use the other approach sometimes or at least benefit from some of its advantages in general, as you see fit.

• Body language is one of the deepest manifestations of indirect criticism. Pay attention to your body, as it expresses you in all situations, especially when you are criticizing.