Here are 5 ways constructive criticism differs from destructive criticism.

1. Criticism is constructive when it is compassionate, helpful, and is made with careful thought, while it is destructive if it is harmful, hurtful, and insulting.

2. Criticism is constructive when it objectively focuses on the work or the performance, while it is destructive if it negatively criticizes the person and feels like a subjective/personal attack.

3. Criticism is constructive when it points out your mistakes or weaknesses and gives you tips or suggestions on where and how to improve, while it is destructive if it does not give any advice for improvement at all (and even tells you to give up).

4. Criticism is constructive if it is clearly specific, detailed, actionable, and helps make the outcome better (experts' point of view), while it is destructive if it is vague, non-specific, random, and tries to take over (usually led by ignorance).

5. Criticism is constructive if it creates motivation, encouragement, boosts positivity, and aims to educate, while it is destructive if it creates defensiveness, distress, aggression, fatigue, and embarrassment.