Criticise Consistently or Never
Which do you prefer?
Hey friend
Welcome to 200 Word Tuesdays. Where we give you short, actionable ideas to implement in your project management. We promise that you haven’t heard these powerful ideas anywhere else. Let’s get started.
Feedback is a vital part of effective leadership, but how and when you deliver it matters just as much as what you say.
Inconsistent criticism—offering feedback to some people or in some situations but not others, undermines trust and creates confusion within your team.
To lead effectively, criticism must be consistent. Here’s why:
Fairness Builds Trust.
If your team feels you’re selective about who or what you critique, they may start to see favoritism, even if it’s unintentional. Consistent criticism ensures everyone is held to the same standards, fostering a culture of fairness.
Clarity Drives Improvement.
When you’re consistent, your team knows what to expect and can adjust their actions accordingly. This clarity eliminates guesswork and enables them to grow in the right direction.
Opportunities for Growth.
Every misstep is a learning moment. Ignoring one mistake while calling out another robs your team of a chance to improve. Treat every opportunity to give feedback as equally important.
Consistency doesn’t mean being harsh—it means being fair and steady. Whether the issue is big or small, address it thoughtfully and promptly. Over time, this builds a culture of accountability and excellence that everyone can respect.
See you next week,
Jonathan (The Effective Project Manager)
Totally agree that consistency is everything here. What I’ve learned is that inconsistent criticism not only breaks trust but also turns feedback into noise. If the team doesn’t know when or why feedback is coming, it becomes emotional instead of actionable.