Effective leaders are visionaries who take people towards a destination.
This requires taking a risk to move toward what they envision. Critics will rise and attempt to stop or impede any forward movement.
Critics come from 2 camps. First camp: most critics that emerge have no authority or jurisdiction to make any judgments at all; or cannot offer viable solutions. (Opinions are not necessarily solutions.) As these people have no responsibility to make something succeed, leaders must shut out this avenue of criticism. 2nd camp: Peers or ‘wannabes’. A leader should ask, “Is their criticism based on a truth? Does it stem from jealously or do they want to exert control over people?”
At the end of the day, the voice that is in relationship with you should be the voice that has true power. A voice that is not relational is apt to criticize, whereas a relational voice will instruct first and correct second. I operate in a mentoring paradigm where voices of mentors instruct and correct. I teach that the voice that is speaking into your life must have an invested purpose in your success. A voice with a critical-spirit is a self-appointed judge and jury, with no relational responsibility to offer a solution or help you walk out a thing.
Here is an example to contemplate; a restaurant critic. How many critics, after having a bad experience, will go into the kitchen and offer a positive solution, or show the cook how NOT to repeat their mistake? Few. Instead, they write it up in an article for all to read. They are distanced relationally with no vested interest in the cook’s success and/or business, and feel that based on their credentials, everyone ought to take heed to their displeasure. I understand the aspects of positive criticism. I am talking about leaders who need to weigh in the balance the difference between words that have power to stop the progression of vision, and words that have the power to adjust, release and empower vision.
There are critics in churches who are out of sync with any solution and bear no responsibility as to the outcome. This type of person will approach a leader, and if not heeded, will then search to align others with them. This is a ‘gang-spirit’ mentality to intimidate and have their own way.
Nehemiah in the Bible had to face intimidation when he was tackling the large building project of Jerusalem’s walls. Forward movement will attract some and threaten others.
Ne 2:19 | But when Sanballat the Horonite and Tobiah the Ammonite official, and Geshem the Arab heard it, they mocked us and despised us and said, “What is this thing you are doing? Are you rebelling against the king?”
Identify the genuine from the counterfeit. Take a good look at the heart of the ones speaking into you as you move forward in your vision and direction. There are valuable and anointed voices in the Kingdom of God, who can speak into your life with godly counsel. A wise leader will have in their inner sphere… ‘vision-enablers’, and shut out ‘vision-destroyers’. What voice are you listening to?
5 elements that must be solid in you as you stand in the face of criticism:
- You must hear from the Lord and get His heart concerning the vision.
- You must see the value in the risk of pressing toward that goal. This will enable you to make choices that will contribute to its success.
- Sacrifice. There is always a price to pay. It is difficult when someone close to you does not understand. You may walk alone for a season until it becomes clear to others, and they are released to engage with you in the vision.
- Faith. Can such a thing be accomplished? If you are not sure of success when you start out, then most likely it will not be accomplished. Do not let resistance and problems take the wind out of your sails.
- Authority. You will be questioned and challenged as to your decisions, involvement, deadlines (timing), direction and destination. A common dialogue of the critic is “It has never been done this way before, who do you think you are?”
Vision will never become possible, without challenging the status quo mindset and overcoming negative criticism. Today, be a leader who knows what it’s like to have a sense of accomplishment. Finish what you start!
Matt Carpenter, Strategic Advisor, Author, Conference speaker, Leadership developer, Certified Executive Leadership Coach, 5-Fold team Implementor