Handling Criticism
One of the continual challenges that faces all leaders is criticism. It runs in the background of nearly everything that leaders do. In fact, I've heard it argued that if you're not being criticized for something you must not be really doing anything significant. When I first became a leader I wasn't prepared for the frequency that I would hear from my critics. I should have known better! It's in our nature to criticize everything and leaders are an exceptionally large and easy target for those who have a critical spirit. Having said that, not all criticism is harmful. I've learned a lot and grown as a leader when I've taken to heart the constructive criticism that has been delivered in a timely, honoring fashion. I'm grateful for the lessons I've learned from those who have lovingly and insightfully offered a helpful critique that has added value to my life and has helped me to see circumstances and people through a different set of lenses.
The content that I'm including on this page has proven helpful to me when I've most needed it. Invariably the enemy of our souls desires to steal, kill and destroy what God is doing in our lives and through our leadership. He'll use any means to distract, disorient and discourage us from fulfilling our God-given calling and criticism is one of the loudest and most hurtful strategies he has. I implore you, as I do for myself, not to allow criticism to swallow you whole and defeat you. Certainly Jesus was criticized and second-guessed all along the way throughout His life. One might conclude that His death was the result of an ugly root of criticism from those in power in His day. But I find His words most encouraging ... "Take heart, I have overcome the world." I think that means He has defeated unhealthy criticism too!
The content that I'm including on this page has proven helpful to me when I've most needed it. Invariably the enemy of our souls desires to steal, kill and destroy what God is doing in our lives and through our leadership. He'll use any means to distract, disorient and discourage us from fulfilling our God-given calling and criticism is one of the loudest and most hurtful strategies he has. I implore you, as I do for myself, not to allow criticism to swallow you whole and defeat you. Certainly Jesus was criticized and second-guessed all along the way throughout His life. One might conclude that His death was the result of an ugly root of criticism from those in power in His day. But I find His words most encouraging ... "Take heart, I have overcome the world." I think that means He has defeated unhealthy criticism too!
Craig Groeschel has two podcast episodes that I highly recommend for leaders who desire to increase their capacity to handle criticism. Watch How Effective Leaders Handle Criticism Part 1 (He looks at four ways to minimize criticism) and Part 2 (He teaches how to understand our critics and respond to them the right way because all critics are not created equal) and remember to follow along with the notes below.
| ep32-how-effective-leaders-handle-criticism-part-1.pdf |
| ep33-how-effective-leaders-handle-criticism-part-2.pdf |