Nothing makes your detractors happier than to see you angry over their criticism.
Here's a reality check: not everyone will agree with every decision you make or action you take as a leader.
I know, I know, pure brilliance manifested as a keen observation. It's a gift!
Despite such astute insight, many leaders and executives place a high value on the approval of others. Look no further than the current leader of the free world and his insatiable obsession with flaming tweets as the primary means of responding to critics.
While research (and common sense) show that there is a natural human tendency to seek acceptance, it is clear that in our pursuit of inclusion, each of us – including the White House's Tweeter in Chief – will face opposition, disagreement, and outright rejection at times.
Critics have a lot of power, but here are three strategies to help you respond to criticism internally without letting it consume you.
The law of "diminishing returns" applies not only to economics or market share, but also to the approval of others. When the energy expended outweighs the benefit of obtaining the desired acceptance, there is a real tipping point. So give up the chase.
Furthermore, when a market leader or person of rank responds to baseless allegations, his or her stature or reputation suffers. That's why Coca-Cola, the market leader at the time, never acknowledged or addressed the Pepsi Taste Challenge. The Coke team had no desire to lend their product's brand equity to Pepsi by responding to the challenger's claims.
Using the "diminishing returns" phrase removes emotion from the situation and allows you to shrug it off.
When we are verbally attacked or criticized, our instinctive reaction is to lash out in self-defense, which usually entails blaming someone else. While it may be understandable, it is usually a highly dubious and ill-advised strategy.
If the criticism is unfounded, dismiss it. There's no need to add fuel to the fire by blaming someone else. If the negative criticism is true, respond quickly by accepting responsibility and explaining how it will not happen again.
Playing the blame game reduces the longevity of a controversy or the sting of criticism.
- Recognize that this, too, will pass.
Humans have an instinctive tendency to move on from issues, situations, or circumstances. The recent Academy Awards ceremony "best movie" gaffe is a fading example of our innate ability to keep moving forward.
Is the Oscars example too shallow or insignificant to serve as a proof point? Then consider a few other major issues or circumstances that once dominated our public debate but have since vanished, such as H1N1, the Toyota recall, or Chipotle's food crisis.
The key is to recognize that everything in life is temporary, including major setbacks, failures, and criticism.
