As professionals, most of us are open to feedback. We know it’s one of the ways to learn how others perceive us and with that information, how can might adapt and grow. But what happens when you hear feedback that is not helpful? As a coach and facilitator, like many of my executive clients, I’ve experienced the helpful, constructive feedback and unfortunately, from time to time, the mean spirited, ouch that hurts, and isn’t going to help me be a better person feedback. What to do? Hear Brene Brown’s advice …. it’s short, sweet, and right on the money.
Theodore Roosevelt: The Man in the Arena
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”