Leaders: Can you give, and take, criticism?
Why do leaders need to be concerned with criticism at all? Doesn’t the adage say you will get more of whatever you focus on, so focus on positive reinforcement? Focusing on criticism will bring a negative response. It’s why the first word for most children is NO; that’s what they hear the most.
Deep inside, no one really likes to hear criticism. It’s much more satisfying in the short run to hear how good we are. But in the long run the most successful leaders not only accept criticism, they ask for it – that’s how we got 360 degree evaluations.
The best leaders are good at giving criticism because they were first good at receiving criticism. Mark Twain said, “One mustn’t criticize other people on grounds where he can’t stand perpendicular himself.”
