Criticize Me!
Criticism is a one of those words that seems to cut most people like a knife. Although the knife doesn’t seem as sharp when we put the word “constructive” in front of the word criticism, none-the-less the word still seems to pierce.
When I was growing up my mom would always tell me: “Son, you can’t control or worry about what people say… you can only control what you say and what you do.” Later on in life, as a young leader I had a mentor that would always say “If you’re doing something worthy of people taking shots at you, you better believe they will. I would much rather have a leader that people don’t always understand and who are occasionally criticized, than a “leader” that no one ever talks about.” I have heard my pastor say something like “If you want to find the leader, look for the one with the arrow in their back!”
I tend to view criticism as neutral… “It Is What It Is!” I prefer to “Eat The Meat and Spit Out The Bones!” If you don’t want to be criticized, I have some advice for you: “Say Nothing, Do Nothing & Be Nothing!” Find someone who has blazed a trail and you’ll find someone who has weathered a trail of criticism. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” If you follow Emerson’s line of thought, be ready for the critics because Trailblazers Will Be Criticized! Trailblazers must throw on their armored jackets daily, with these words written on the back “Criticize Me!”
“It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause, who at best knows achievement and who at the worst if he fails at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.” ~Theodore Roosevelt
I don’t ever want to find my place with those “Cold and Timid Souls.” Criticize Me!
What do you think?
15 Responses to “Criticize Me!”
“Any fool can criticize, condemn, and complain — and most fools do.” Dale Carnegie
We should learn from every situation: good, bad or ugly – the key is to remain composed & smellin’ fresh even when the crap is flying!
This is a great point you make not only in leadership but also in ministry.
Constructive criticism should help the process, should have solutions, ideas with it but it usually points out things people don’t like, straight up opinions. That’s just criticism.
I LOVE this statement-“Say Nothing, Do Nothing & Be Nothing!”
Ain’t that the truth if you want to be a leader. Thanks for speaking up, taking some arrows and leading the way in 2010.
Love your posts. And I enjoy articles on the topic of criticism. And I agree with. However, are we in danger of tipping the scales? I believe it was Perry Noble who recently said only 10% of those who start in ministry retire in ministry. Is it due the the lack of criticism received or the lack of encouragement? If it takes 10 positives to counter a negative, etc. perhaps we are already getting enough of the one (obviously none of us has arrived and we need the feedback)but maybe we need to turn our attention towards encouragement.
I think you are absolutely right, but to be a great leader you must know what you stand for and so many people are wishy washy. I enjoy reading your blog…glad I found it.
Nope. I got nothing. Uhm…yer too busy. Slow down! (grin). There’s this 62 year old black man at my wife’s church named Arlen who gave his testimony Saturday. I only got to catch small portions of it, but wow. I’ve always thought of Arlen as one of the kindest, most gentle and happiest men at the church. He’s been saved since he was 48. So when he started talking about wearing matched Nines in a shoulder holster every day just to survive when he was younger, I was a bit surprised. I’m still not feeling very critical.
Dead on Good!!! And a PERFECT follow up to the “keepin’ it real” post (that’s not the title…but love the pic on that one).
Stand up for somethin’ or lay down for everything! (love that quote).
I believe it was Chuck Swindoll (at Catalyst 09) who said, ‘be ready for the crushing’, and someone else said, ‘if you’re a leader that is liked, you may not be a leader at all’. I have been one who hated “confrontation”, but have realized that if I don’t stand for something….I’ll lay down for it all. And That’s NOT what I was created to do.
I agree with what you are saying, and would add that I want my friends to criticize me too. I expect attacks from enemies. From my friends I want to know what I could be doing better. Can’t improve if you don’t know what you’re doing wrong.
The way we handle criticism is an indication of our maturity and security in the Lord. After all, He is the one we seek to please! But criticism can be a helpful tool to help us see things that are otherwise obstructed by our own perspective. I once read a quote attributed to Corrie ten Boom, “Critics are the unpaid guardians of our souls.” It has been a reminder to me to seek to extract what ever good I can from what ever source of criticism, even though it can be quite painful. The quote you closed with by Roosevelt is one of my favorites! Lets step out in faith, boldly to finish our God given assignments, and leave the rest to Him!
Criticism is ususally unsolicited and unwanted.
Criticism’s impact is most often dependant on its source and intent, combined with the receptivity of the recipient.
Unsolicited comments are nearly always received as criticism no matter what the intent.
I’m much better at giving criticism receiving it. :>)
iChilly- you always drop the insight late at night.
Marc- Thanks bro. I always appreciate your comments. Well said!
Mike- Encouragement is a must, in the Juvenile Prison that I ran we had 5 rewards to 1 consequence.
Millhill- Thx. for the comment, I’m g;ad you found it to.
Jimmy- hey’ya (grin) We need to do some Zorbas again.
Gloria- Thx. Swindoll brought the heat at Catalyst, I couldn’t keep up.
czwieg- Amen
Dona- That will preach
David-
I’m not the best at receiving criticism, but I have realized the value. The more personal we take it the more personal it becomes. I think we have to sometimes de-personalize the criticism and like you said, ‘eat the meat, spit out the bones!’
Good post!
No one ever went to the grave wishing they were criticized less.
Alex- Totally agree w/ the over-personalizing!
Lee- I hope not!
If you are not criticized, it means you have not done something.
A great post Scott.
“Jimmy- hey’ya (grin) We need to do some Zorbas again.”
Zorba’s is good. There’s another restaurant next to it called Chelinos. Ever tried them? I need to catch up on reading blogs. I’ve been caught up in FB finding relatives I haven’t talked to in years. It’s addictive. (grin)