A Critique Of Criticism

A Critique Of Criticism

Posted on 01. Feb, 2010 by Paul Andrew in Communication, The Leadership Coach™

Recently a friend said to me, “Criticism is the death gargle of a non-achiever”. It’s a great statement and I’ve found it to be true. Many years of leadership have given me the opportunity to see the long-term impact of different mindsets on a person’s life. The truth is that all too often those whose criticism rings the loudest are the very same people who have contributed nothing but words. Non-achievers.

It’s easy to be a critic. To pick apart what others have created. To appoint ourselves as judge and look down on those around us. To deflect attention from our own inadequacies by focusing on what we believe are the faults of others. Sadly in Australia, where I live, it is so common in our culture that we created a name for it – Tall Poppy Syndrome.

We’ve probably all sat in business meetings where the culture made being creative nearly impossible. In that environment you quickly learn that bringing an idea to the table is seen by others as invitation to shoot you down. Those businesses often wonder why there isn’t more innovation coming from their team, but they don’t recognise that their critical culture is the silent killer of creativity.

I just spent seven weeks traveling with my family. While we were in New York City I saw a subway advertisement that read “Stupid creates. Smart critiques. Be stupid”. To me it was a great reminder that there’s a certain risk of appearing stupid that comes with being creative instead of critical. But it’s the risk every achiever must take.

Does that mean that we should never be critical? Do we hold back on feedback? No, I believe it’s really about the overall balance of our communication. It’s one thing to offer suggestions on how something could be improved, and another thing altogether for negativity to be your default setting. What’s the theme of your communication? Do you tend to notice and commend what is good, or notice and condemn what could be better? When my team know I am for them and I give encouragement whenever possible I can bring criticism from time to time without becoming “the critic”.

I recently heard speaker Steve Penny say, “I would rather fail tremendously than live dismally”.

To me that’s the bottom line. I’d rather being defined by my creativity than by my criticism.

I’d love to hear your comments and feedback

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10 Responses to “A Critique Of Criticism”

  1. Angelo Ziaziaris

    02. Feb, 2010

    Hi Paul,
    Great message – succinct and touched upon a topic I am currently relating to. The quote ‘I would rather fail tremendously than live dismally’ sums it up nicely and echoes the thoughts of a good friend, entrepreneur and mentor of mine who said to me that people that make a success of starting up their own business can be an inspiration – however he admires people who are willing to have a go, chase their dream and fail even more so because it takes courage beyond words to step into the unknown and never die wondering and that alone commands respect and admiration and deserves no ctritisism from those unwilling to change the status quo. Nobody would call Bill Gates or Steve Jobs stupid now – I wonder how many did when they first started?
    Thank Paul.

    [Reply]

  2. Karen Reinhart

    02. Feb, 2010

    I was trained as a college writing instructor to “sandwich” criticism between two positive comments–to always begin and end by pointing out something that the student had done well. I think the principle applies outside the classroom as well.

    [Reply]

  3. Peter Fletcher

    02. Feb, 2010

    Great words. The Theodore Roosevelt quote has lived with me in my journal for possibly twenty years and was also used by Robert Fulghum in his book ‘Words I wish I Wrote’. Criticism is very rarely the tool in trade of those who are leaders in their field, but those who wish they were.

    Keep up the good work

    ‘Fletch’

    [Reply]

  4. Gege Sena Saleh

    02. Feb, 2010

    Thanx Pastor Paul, its important to love people and not let them go into error but it must be done in the correct manner. I like the sandwich idea!

    [Reply]

  5. Krispy

    02. Feb, 2010

    Hey Paul, really great message, I just got back from a conference in L.A. where the keynote speaker was Tony Hsieh – this guy put together zappos.com and sold it last november to Amazon for 1.2bill .. not bad.. but have a look at his website / culture ideas, they are really groundbreaking and totally awe inspiring..
    Thanks for putting so much effort into your newsettlers, they are really inspirational and have a buzz about them!.

    Kris Jack

    [Reply]

  6. Victoria

    02. Feb, 2010

    Another great article Paul, thanks! I also think it’s important to learn how to take criticism and feedback in the right way. It’s certainly a journey I’ve had to take over the years: ensuring that we grow, learn from and are grateful for all the feedback we get even when it’s perhaps not given in the best spirit. Perhaps those who criticise come from a place of fear and we can help them.

    [Reply]

  7. Gordon McNaught

    03. Feb, 2010

    This article really speaks to me Paul. Working in a large, multi-national company, it can often be a daunting task to bring forth creative and fresh ideas – people are always too willing to shoot down ideas that may not be in line with processes or seem way too radical. After reading this article I can stand and say that I would rather be shot down in flames rather than wonder if I could have flown the mission.
    Don’t be afraid to speak up or offer an idea – those who criticise you are generally the one’s who just go through the motions. They will always remain static rather than dynamic – even in a large company we need dynamic leadership, otherwise we are robbing our clients of what can be truly great.

    [Reply]

  8. Paul Andrew

    03. Feb, 2010

    Thanks everyone for the great feedback. Kris I’ll check out Tony, cheers. Some of you should start blogs – “Criticism is very rarely the tool in trade of those who are leaders in their field, but those who wish they were.” – wow Fletch, great thought. Angelo, great question “Nobody would call Bill Gates or Steve Jobs stupid now – I wonder how many did when they first started?”.

    Great contributions, thank you.

    [Reply]

  9. Franki

    03. Feb, 2010

    Thankyou!
    I loved reading your email this morning and it’s so so true. I am one of those people who usually hold back on an idea in fear of judgment. But now I will remind myself of your email and grow courage to speak my truth.
    There is an extra spring in my step now, it is great to know that there are other people out there that observe in a similar way.

    [Reply]

  10. Christine Lee

    07. Feb, 2010

    I am new with TCI, intake in February.
    Reading your email makes me feel more and more restless about the job I am in right now. Pharmacceutical Rep. Where ideas are created at the desk, but do not apply out there in the real world with real people.
    Reps ideas are listened but not heard, quickly dismissed.
    A big part of me is screaming inside to escape and be true to myself.
    Not long now!
    Christine

    [Reply]

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