Commonly, positive feedback is more acceptable when we comment on our peers’ work. Meanwhile, we do not make only favorable comments, and, where necessary, are not unlikely to give unfavorable feedback. However, things are not that simple, and there is a conundrum.

We may point out the limitations first because this may be efficient communication. There is no beating around the bush, and although this may be upsetting, there is always a chance for the compensation as the positive feedback will be given after. Unfortunately, many of my coworkers, when they are not recognized for the merits of their performance in the first place, respond unfavorably to the criticism about their work. In such situations, they cannot wait patiently for the praise we think we can give later to reverse their mood, and may be too crushed to listen. The lesson is that we should go the other way around. As a matter of fact, this is not only to avoid the “devastating” embarrassment but also to avoid the possible resistance to the criticism. 

There are also instances in which critical feedback should be given before acclaim. If a job is indeed poorly done, we are advised to be blunt and to cut to the chase quickly, for the consideration that our kind gesture, that we give a compliment first, may be misinterpreted as the whole idea of the evaluation, and for another consideration that the gesture may be seen as a fake display of our true thoughts and thus may be more embarrassing and hurting than the straightforward criticism.  

行文至此，题目中给出两个选择势均力敌，处在平衡状态。这时候，我们再写一个段落给我们心里的那个选项加码，就把我们的立场明确了。比如，我会讨论：Saying something nice about our peers’ performance is to open their hearts and prepare their emotions for the criticism.  具体的展开，大家自己试试？

At this point, we have found the way out of the dilemma.