Criticism & Crappy Seagulls

Chapter 4 of John Maxwell’s “Leadership Gold”  sure explains a lot about my job, and maybe yours. It is called, “When You Get Kicked in the Rear, You Know You’re Out in Front”.

Here are some quotes from chapter 4, with my comments:

One of the prices of leadership is criticism. When spectators watch a race, where do they focus their attention? On the front runners! Few people pay close attention to the racers who are out of contention. Racers who are viewed as out of the running are often ignored or dismissed. But when you’re out front and ahead of the crowd, everything you do attracts attention. -- John Max 
Why didn’t they tell me that 24 years ago?

Criticism is something you can avoid easily – by saying noting, doing nothing, and being nothing. -- Aristotle 
Not an option. Like it or not, we have to say, do and be.

Some (people) are like seagulls. When something goes wrong, they fly in, make a lot of noise, and crap all over everything. -- Ken Blanchard
Seagulls and critics - the same yesterday, today, forever.

Here’s the deal. When it comes to leadership -  at some point something will go wrong. Then the noisy, critical, crappy seagulls will show up on cue, and criticize. How will you respond to their criticism?

When our seagulls show up, we can…
    Ignore the criticism,
    Attack the critics,
    Defend ourselves.

Or we can…
    Listen to the criticism, no matter how painful,
    Learn from our critics, no matter how unfair,
    Look for that grain of truth, no matter how microscopic.

I know it’s not fun, but it’s part of leadership.

Comments

[mike watkins]

Steve, this is a timely post as I have been thinking about the same things. It is possible to make no mistakes and still get kicked & crapped on. However, some kicks and seagull crap have a little validity. We need this to keep us humble.

[Febs Asuncion]

Great lesson,just want to add,
Listen to criticism,no matter how painful,
Learn from our critics,no matter how unfair,
Look for that grain of truth,no matter how microscopic,
And release forgiveness,coz Jesus forgave us!!!

[Michael Paderes]

Gordon MacDonald said a long time ago that "in every criticism there is a kernel of truth. If you seek for it and find it, you will come out a better man."

[russ]

Having watched you close up the past 3 years and from a distance for over 15 prior I have seen you get kicked, cr*****d on (you know how sensitive I am to crude language), and misunderstood. YOu have been an incredible expample of how to receive and metabolize criticism, which explains why you are the leader you are today. I love the Aristotle quote.

[jack]

i am surprised to hear such a dignified pastor as yourself and the leader of every nation using such bad language! please put an apology
on your site 'coz you are setting a bad example!

[eulema demadura]

Critiscism is one of the best price of leadership...no matter how much one tried to avoid it, God will make a way to let you face it. It may make or break you ...it will show what you were made of. Pastor Steve, you've gone a long way..listened,learned, and have looked.

[Frank]

Hey Russ, I am surprised by your post! You are making allot of noise! what comes next? Steve take cover!

[Frank the Tank]

I notice that I gave Russ a hard time about the comment when it was JACK!!!! Sorry Russ!
I am not sorry Jack!!