Critics and gravity

When leading, creating change, and sharing creative work we can be sure there will be critics.

In this sense, they’re like gravity; an omnipresent force seeking to pull us down.

Instead of trying to avoid or push against the critic, then, what if we sought to leverage that force? What if we considered the arrival of a critic a sign that we’re onto something? A reminder that we are in fact creating change (and thus, tension in those attached to the status quo)?

How might that change the way we show up?

Founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, said it best:

“If you absolutely can’t tolerate critics, then don’t do anything new or interesting.”

Jeff Bezos