Critics: Ya gotta love ‘em!

Donald Rumsfeld said, “If you are not criticized, you may not be doing much.” We shouldn’t be concerned if the critics line up at our door, waiting for a chance to shoot us down. We should worry if what we are doing and who we are is resulting in the sounds of chirping crickets. It goes without saying, sometimes the critics are correct. They can be our best friend in that they sometimes point out areas that, when addressed and improved upon, can result in growth and progress. But I’d be lying if I said that critical people don’t really bother me. So I collected a few classic quotes, (OK some of them aren’t yet classics) to help inspire you. If you are leading and you are being criticized, (one in the same) be inspired by a few of your colleagues:

“Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” Aristotle

“Fans don’t boo nobodies.” Reggie Jackson

“He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.” Abe Lincoln

“Don’t pay any attention to the critics-don’t even ignore them.” Samuel Goldwyn

“Pay no attention to what the critics say. A statue was never erected in honor of a critic.” Jean Sibelius

“Criticism is an indirect form of self-boasting.” Emmet Fox

“A critic is someone who never actually goes to battle, yet who afterwards comes out shooting the wounded.” Tyne Daily

“Come now mothers and fathers throughout the land, and don’t criticize what you can’t understand.” Bob Dylan

“Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.” Ben Franklin

So, be encouraged. If you are being criticized, you must be doing something right! Don’t get too caught up with those who tear you down. These are not the people who are changing the world for the better. In fact, many of them have no greater calling in life than to hold others back.

You, however, have the call to change the world!