How do you want to be criticized?

I’m talking about times when someone else thought you were doing something wrong. Like when you were a child—how did you want your parents to criticize you? Or when you make a mistake at work, how do you want your boss to criticize you? Or if a friend or a spouse thinks you are messing up big time, how would you like them to talk to you about it?

Looking at it the other way—what really hurt you about the criticisms you have received in life? How could it have been done less painfully and more effectively?

I shouldn’t bias you by using the word “criticize,” I suppose, but I hope it gets across the idea. What do you want someone to do when they have a problem with you?

If you can, examples of how it went and you wish it had gone would be really helpful.