Bangalore: The truth is we don't like criticism. But the greater truth is flawless performances are only those that are tempered by the cutting edge of criticism. As Sir Winston Churchill says, "Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things." Yes, criticism does help in keeping things on track toward perfection, and in a workplace it can be a key element in boosting productivity. But if not done in an effective way, criticism may also harm the employees' morale. It may annoy them, instead of improving their work. In an organization, it's the managers who are vested with the responsibility for giving criticism and feedback to employees. Hence, they should know the simple etiquettes while criticizing a peer's work. As a professional, they should seek to speak in a manner that will provide optimal benefit to everyone involved. Here are a few suggestions that can be helpful in giving astute and insightful criticism. A constructive criticism Constructive is the word that should always be connected with criticism. Part of figuring out how to criticize a peer's work is learning how to frame criticisms in a way that is constructive, to deliver such words in a positive tone. Instead of crudely pointing out the mistakes, an open-ended question can be put. For instance, phrases like "Your idea is good, but what if you try this instead?" can be more effective. It's very important to choose words that are not provocative, so that the criticism nourishes the person's growth without destroying his roots.