Career Advancement Newsletter

They make me think!?

???? They motivate me!?

????????? They hold me accountable!?

Most people do not like strong-willed critics who question their actions, hold them accountable, or express opposing views.?

That is unfortunate, because they are missing out on an opportunity for personal, professional, and spiritual growth.??

Think about it!?

Strong-willed criticism is a wonderful stimulator of self-development, but those who avoid it will never know what they missed.?

All my life, I have enjoyed a good fight. (That is, so long as there is no physical pain or bloodshed … especially mine!)

I enjoy a fight of ideas!?

It stimulates my thinking when I aggressively slug it out with a passionate and well-rehearsed opponent in one corner and me in the opposite.?

A worthy opponent can provoke me to understand his/her position, provide an opportunity for me to clarify my own position, and offers me a chance to weigh the benefits of different ideas.?

Only after I test my position in this way am I prepared to preach, practice, and persuade others to accept my position. It is a healthy process to be faced head-on and never avoided.?

Let me give you an example.?

During my late twenties and thirties, I taught a Sunday school class for young married couples at my church. We were all about the same age and most of us had young children. There were sharp people in that class and many of them were comfortable to speak up and question or contest an issue.

I was blessed to have one special person in the class …?

???? let’s call him Joe.?

He was an airline pilot, and when Joe entered his cockpit, he was fully prepared to fly. He expected no less of his teacher.?

Joe was intelligent, had an almost photographic memory, could debate skillfully, and knew a great deal about the Bible. Along with several others, he made certain I tied up all the loose ends in my lesson presentations.?

Joe was the one most responsible for holding me accountable, pushing me to grow and develop into a more effective teacher. He motivated me to invest more time in preparation, and always be at my best in my presentations to the class.??

My focus was not only on how to present it to the class … the lesson also had to be prepared to reach Joe.?

The process inspired me personally and spiritually.?

I thank God for the many friends like Joe in my life.?

????? Be thankful for strong-willed critics!

At Chick-fil-A, we attracted many independent-minded, entrepreneurial, and high-spirited Operators (franchisees).

???? I loved them!?

They were Mustangs … people who live on the edge of and sometimes beyond the limit of their authority. ?Mustangs charge ahead to lead the herd and can’t be fenced in.?

They want to explore untraveled paths and …?

???? ignore how things were done in the past.

That was okay with me! Mustangs really motivated me.? The mental scuffles were productive, and we all grew and profited together from them.?

It inspired my personal and professional growth and …?

????? stimulated the development of Chick-fil-A!?

I am thankful for the Mustangs in my life.?

????? Be thankful for strong-willed critics!?

Some people prefer dealing with milder, more submissive personalities who do not make waves. However, few things change if everyone is most concerned about maintaining the status quo.

Think for yourself …?

???? push the envelope and …?

????????? live on the edge!?

You are much more valuable on the leading edge than you are in a safer, calm place where nothing much happens.?

At the same time, take it a step further; cultivate and encourage Mustangs to challenge you and keep you on your toes. ??

Surely …? you want to …?

????? Be thankful for strong-willed critics!?

--- Jimmy Collins, Career Advancement Newsletter

Like stories? My latest book Jimmy’s Stories is available on Biblio.com .? https://www.biblio.com/book/jimmys-stories-jimmy-collins/d/1604855871 ?

Career advancement principles are in my book,?Creative Followership? ?also available on Biblio.com .??? https://www.biblio.com/book/creative-followership-jimmy-collins/d/1604564938 ?

#critics #encourage #chickfila #leadership #followership

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