Which approach exemplifies critique that avoids attacking the individual?

• A. Direct
• B. Indirect
• C. Insulting
• D. Aggressive

Answer: (A)

Delivering critique in a way that targets the behavior or outcome rather than the person is the key. When feedback is direct, you state what happened, why it matters, and what should change, in clear, specific terms. This approach makes the issue easy to understand and address, and it invites concrete next steps without putting the person on the defensive.

For example, you might say, “The report was submitted two days late, which delayed the project review. To prevent this, let’s set intermediate milestones and confirm deadlines in our check-ins.” This keeps the focus on the action and its impact, and it offers a concrete path forward.

Indirect critique can be hazy and open to misinterpretation, while insulting or aggressive remarks attack the person and escalate conflict. Direct feedback, delivered respectfully and tied to observable behavior, maintains trust and improves performance.