Dealing With Critics

Do critics drive us batty or do they drive us to be better?

Jonathan and I argue that it’s likely both—but that even uninvited criticism can serve a vital purpose (and how to deal when it doesn’t):

The difference between getting critiqued by your email list, social media types and your intimates.

How to think about criticism from your circle and use it to benefit the revolution you’re leading.

When to unplug or take steps to protect your mental health.

Deciding whether your critics are coming for you (to be helpful) or at you (to tear you down a peg).

When receiving criticism can be a form of deep care (and how to keep the right kind coming).

Quotables

“It’s different with email. I think people (critics), they’re a little bit more thoughtful.”—JS

“Just breathe. Walk away from the keyboard…”—RM

“When somebody on my list sends me one of these sort of polite pushback kinds of things, they’re usually right.”—JS

“I have unfollowed and blocked (social media critics) for my mental health because I don’t need somebody who’s just gonna go around trolling.”—RM

“Where do you get your canary in the coal mine when you actually are wrong, or you actually have too shallow of an understanding of something that’s much deeper?”—JS

“I can feel if they (critics) are coming for me or at me—and I take critical feedback really well from the people that I know are for me.”—RM

“You have to consider the messenger. So like when someone on my list pushes back, I’m like this is totally valid because it was for you.” —JS

“It’s so valuable to have somebody tell you when you’re doing something that they perceive differently than you do.”—RM