Comments on: A Critique Of Criticism

By: Christine Lee

Christine Lee — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 06:47:25 +0000

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

By: Franki

Franki — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:10:45 +0000

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.

By: Paul Andrew

Paul Andrew — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 22:54:28 +0000

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.

By: Gordon McNaught

Gordon McNaught — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:31:02 +0000

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.

By: Victoria

Victoria — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:25:33 +0000

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.

By: Krispy

Krispy — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 06:43:57 +0000

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

By: Gege Sena Saleh

Gege Sena Saleh — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:38:35 +0000

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!

By: Peter Fletcher

Peter Fletcher — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:26:15 +0000

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’

By: Karen Reinhart

Karen Reinhart — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:48:29 +0000

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.

By: Angelo Ziaziaris

Angelo Ziaziaris — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:48:19 +0000

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.