How can I provide positive but CONSTRUCTIVE criticism in my emails to my downline?

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4275 votes
, () Top Author Forum Guru 11/7/2014 12:35 am
Affiliate since: 12/31/1969, Power Rank: 99999999
Constructive criticism is the process of offering valid and well-reasoned opinions about the work of others, usually involving both positive and negative comments, in a friendly manner rather than an oppositional one. The purpose of constructive criticism is to improve the outcome.

While criticising, make sure you don't concentrate on the negative. State clearly the positive things he/she has done right.

Then, whenever you are trying to point to the negative things that you
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4274 votes
Lashunda Elliot, Aff (Alabama, US) Top Author Forum Guru 11/11/2014 8:24 am
Affiliate since: 06/22/2014, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Lashunda's 18 other Ask SC answers
SFI is a great company but many affiliates don't stick around too see success. The only thing you can do is offer help to those who are actually reading your emails.

Express the importance of logging in everyday. Some affiliates don't see that as a way of improving their rank in SFI. The better the rank-the better the commission.

Also alot of affiliates don't understand SFI. I been in SFI for almost 4 months and Im still learning new things everyday. Let them now the basics
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4268 votes
Aina Lia, EA (Malaysia) Top Author Forum Guru 11/11/2014 8:34 am
Affiliate since: 10/01/2013, Power Rank: 75 | Read Aina's 157 other Ask SC answers
To me, i think no such thing as ‘constructive criticism’. When you’re inclined to offer specific feedback, pause and ask yourself first how you’d feel if someone gave you that feedback. If you would feel uncomfortable or defensive, assume anyone else would too.

Here’s a question guaranteed to make your stomach lurch: “Would you mind if I gave you some feedback?”
What that actually means is “Would you mind if I gave you some negative feedback, wrapped in the guise
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4260 votes
SURESH KABADKAR, Aff (India) Top Author Forum Guru 11/12/2014 2:05 am
Affiliate since: 11/23/2012, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read SURESH's 17 other Ask SC answers
Hi, Maja

I will attempt to respond to your question in bullet-points:
*Remember first that the SFI network is like an e-commerce "Facebook". You are operating in a "virtual" environment.
*Except the PSAs whom you have personally identified and sponsored yourself and whom you know very well, the others, both PSAa and CSAs, who are allotted to you, may not take kindly to whatever you have to say even if your criticism / comments are well-meaning and in their
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4259 votes
Wayne Crocker, Aff (Missouri, US) Top Author Forum Guru 11/7/2014 11:26 am
Affiliate since: 05/10/2012, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Wayne's 236 other Ask SC answers

I can understand where you are coming from with your question I have also thought of how to do this. I have only thought of it – In other words I have never used criticism in any form, constructive or not.

It is so much better to offer suggestions after asking the affiliate if he/she wants to hear any suggestions.

People do not take to criticism unless they are your family or super personal friends. And in business the fastest way to get rid of your
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4256 votes
, () Top Author Forum Guru 11/7/2014 10:37 am
Affiliate since: 12/31/1969, Power Rank: 99999999
Be assertive.

Certainly, not everyone takes criticism, even if they are constructive, in the same way, but it is also true that a good tip in time is valuable and generally everyone appreciate it.

That someone will point out the flaws that you, as a newbie, can be making (as long as you do it in a friendly, sympathetic and with the best intentions) it's a good thing. And those who can't appreciate not only haven't understood what SFI is based, but it hardly will, in my opinion,
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4251 votes
Diane Allinson, Aff (United Kingdom) Top Author Forum Guru 11/7/2014 6:50 am
Affiliate since: 04/14/2014, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Diane's 76 other Ask SC answers
Hi Maja, this is such a great question! Thank you for asking it.

It is such an important part of our team-building skills to be able to offer, and accept, constructive criticism. We need to remember too, that this could be more difficult online because we often don't know the person personally, and we don't have the benefit of using non-verbal communication, like body language, so we need to be clearer in our words so they are not misunderstood.

Firstly, I think it is important
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4247 votes
Jeannette Gerrard, PB (District of columbia, US) Top Author Forum Guru 11/8/2014 5:12 am
Affiliate since: 11/13/2001, Power Rank: 16 | Read Jeannette's 241 other Ask SC answers
I would be very careful with criticism. It implies a negative note. It is better to provide encouragement, along with invormation about what an affiliate could accomplish in the VP Ledger or the To-Do List or some aspects of advertising.

It is good to tell the affiliate that he/she is valuable, and be sure to thank him/her for being a valued affiliate. It is also good to warn the affiliate if he/she is doing something that may be against SFI policy or rules. Do this, however, in
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4238 votes
Kazhiyur Narasimhan, Aff (India) Top Author Forum Guru 11/6/2014 6:43 pm
Affiliate since: 09/16/2014, Power Rank: 99999999 | Read Kazhiyur's 49 other Ask SC answers
Usually, one should not straight-away go forward and criticize anybody. Initially one has to provide advice or suggestion and wait for the person to enact or follow it. Then there should be a mild direction for the person's response and action. For both the above, some time has to be allocated and hence one has to wait for the person's reaction for some time. If still the concerned person is timid and inactive or improper in his response or if their is some lacuna in his response then only one has
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4236 votes
Bob Moore, Aff (California, US) Top Author Forum Guru 11/6/2014 5:44 pm
Affiliate since: 01/05/2011, Power Rank: 37 | Read Bob's 135 other Ask SC answers
Good question.

I suggest as a primary method; To use yourself as an example.
I set up a situation to show how I decided to
overcome or solve a problem.
I explain what I did and then suggest it to my downline as one possible remedy.
Being humble enough to recognize yourself having made mistakes or
practicing learning by doing is setting an example.
And it is a positive way to influence your downline and build trust.

Another suggestion is to include
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