Have you ever been criticize professionally? A kind of criticism that you find knowledgeable and interesting because there's lack of experience or something wasn't just right. I have been criticize professionally or constructively so often, especially in relation to my discipline, I am a builder and an artisan also, so it's always a thing I witness maybe not to me but to other artisans in these profession.
A constructive or professional criticism isn't a degradation or humiliation pattern, rather as professionals in any discipline it is a criticism that can avert, prevent catastrophe or future persecution. It is best I correct my colleagues appropriately, not with authoritative actions and rudeness in between.
On a bright sunny day on the fields where we were casting some beams and columns I and my fellow builder were supervising the project, I was the lead supervisor, I was so busy with that particular casting process I didn't notice my colleagues telling the masonry to start casting the blinding bed on the foundation of the duplex where as the depth wasn't at the appreciate depth. It should be one meter minimum for any structure that would have a decking (slab).
I was disappointed but I had to criticize the process immediately but since we are both colleagues I decided to handle the situation professionally besides our aim is for safety, minimization of resources and comfortability.
I began instructions swiftly for the fresh concrete to be excavated and converted to columns since there was already made form works for the columns and beam( No concrete should be wasted).
I took my colleague to a corner and explain to the the drawings specifications because when national institute of builders commission evaluate this project we will be penalize seriously. Told him the foundation depth must be one meter for any storey building structure, whether it is on a strong core strata. Better still I made him work along with the specifications given to us by the structural engineer.
The masons at the construction site was glad on how I handled the situation, I didn't raise my voice at my colleague though I was surprised he didn't know how important the building foundation is to the whole project itself. We construction engineers don't play around during the foundation and slab casting and curing process.
Optimal observation is needed. Same way I criticize the masons on how they add much sand and lesser stones during the concrete mix, because of dubious act of stealing the cement or granite because of how expensive it is to purchase, it is why I make sure I'm available on site for supervision, without me being there a lot of subtraction and manipulation will take place and all results down to the project manager the client will hold accountable. I'm not left out, the project manager will then hold me seriously accountable also. Criticism constructively isn't the usage of insulting words or been violent in reaction but the manner and professionalism administered by me or any person coming across a less knowledgeable person.
I hope you all got to be constructive or professional in your criticism in the place of work. Thanks for reading through Hivers. Images are mine.