Day to Day happenings in my life

Criticism versus praise

PROMPT November 7th

Today's prompt is taken from a book I own. "Great Quotes From Great Leaders", published by Motorola, my employer. This one is from Norman Vincent Peale. "The trouble with most of us, is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism." Do you feel this is a valid statement? Tell us why you feel the way you do.

People really hate to be criticised, even if it’s for their own good. Perhaps there’s a way to criticise without offending but no matter how it’s phrased, folk just recognise criticism, even when it’s sugar coated.
Praise is great, but only when it’s deserved. For example people get praised in reviews for work that’s at best ok, but not actually praiseworthy. Does that ruin the writer? That may be going too far, but it may prevent that writer from examining the work, listening to suggestions and making improvements.
I’ve noticed these days children get praised for just turning up. Comparing my school days with today’s, I notice one big difference. We used to know exactly where we were on the ladder. We actually were given a number to say where we sat. There were usually forty, or even more kids in classes. To be number one, or even in the top ten was wonderful. Not that I ever reached such greatness. But can you imagine how number forty felt? That was hard luck if they felt bad. That was life. I’m not sure kids today could tolerate being graded in such a black and white way.
So yes I do believe that too much praise can hold back a person from striving for improvement, however too much harsh criticism can crush.
Maybe there is a middle ground, a way to encourage without flattery.