Take 5 Steps with Critics

There are two kinds of critics. Those who push against your success and grumblers trying to help. Some faultfinders are committed, others are barriers.

Some critics care.

Obstructionists tear down. Believers work to make things better. Determine if they are trying to help before you give complainers space in your brain.

Embrace prickly helpers. Ignore stone-throwers on the sidelines. Guard your energy from people who don’t care.

A 5-Step Plan for Dealing with Critics:

1. Clarify Concerns

Restate the complaint in your own words to ensure understanding.

Questions:

1. This is the concern I hear. Do you think I understand? Wait for a positive response. Don’t explore criticism until everyone agrees on the issue.
2. Are we dealing with symptoms or causes?

#2. Explore Motivation

Dig into reasons for the complaint. Don’t assume negative motivations. Some complainers are trying to help.

Questions:

1. What makes this issue important to you?
2. What advantage are you trying to create?
3. How does this concern align with our goals?

#3. Identify Outcomes

Determine what they want to achieve and who benefits from addressing the issue.

Questions:

1. Who are you trying to help?
2. What will be different if we successfully address this concern?

#4. Explore Solutions

Generate at least three possible solutions.

Questions:

1. I hear what you don’t like. What suggestions do you have?
2. What alternative solutions have you considered?
3. How do these solutions align with our goals?

5. Define Next Steps

Determine who does the work and how success will be measured.

Question:

1. What’s the next step? Who needs to take it?
2. What’s your contribution?
3. How will we measure success?

Open your heart:

Defensiveness is weakness.

Closing your ears to faultfinders limits potential. Defensiveness closes your mind. Even an enemy could be right.

Don’t let critics run your life.

What suggestions do you have for dealing with critics?

When do you listen? When should you move on?

Dig deeper:

Leadership Derailers – Inability to Gain Advantage from Criticism

A Conversation with a Critic

Unfair Criticism – Taking the Positive From Negative Feedback