Great post and full of nice points to remember on both sides of the equation.

The best way to help someone is to make a sandwich out of it (Say what?):

1 - Tell them something good
2 - Tell them what needs worked on
3 - Tell them something good

It's like bread, meat, bread - hence the sandwich analogy.

Try it next time you want to help someone out and see if it doesn't go over well.