I&#x27;m not sure I agree that there needs to be symmetry between compliments and insults.<p>I think the right approach is to compliment specific groups and people and behaviors; and criticize only behaviors. The specific people&#x2F;groups who are behaving well will value the personal credit and build on it; the specific people behaving badly can take impersonal criticism without feeling the need to be defensive.<p>Occasionally naming names is warranted in criticism, but that&#x27;s the exception.