Leadership Surprises: Expect Criticism!
As a leader, you may find that you get criticised… simply because you are the leader! Indeed, the higher you go, the more criticism you might get… especially from folks ‘under’ your leadership. You may not always hear about it directly, but it will leak out here and there!
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Folks will often criticise because they don’t understand the reality of what you are dealing with. Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions that won’t please everyone. This criticism (and blame) will often be for things outside your control and may come even when you haven’t done anything to warrant it.
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What can you do about this?
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1)????? Accept that criticism is a sign of being seen as accountable… you are someone in authority.
2)????? Communicate with and educate your team to understand the bigger picture and the reasoning around decisions. Be clear about what is within and outside your control (for you and for the team).
3)????? Invite feedback and take it graciously… even when it is clumsily delivered. Ask questions to establish what they would like you to do differently. If you can, then do it. If you can’t, explain why.
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If you think we can help your company, then please feel free to contact me.
Head of Economic Prosperity at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
1 个月Great guidance Joe!
Laboratory Compliance Consultant | Thought Leader - with a passion for: Regulatory Insights, Data Integrity & Critical Thinking. #USP<1058>, #<1220>, #<854>, #<621>, #GAMP 5....
1 个月Joe Cheal I love this Colin Powell quote, the wording is based on his military perspective, but the principle applies to all leaders: "The day the soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership." This essential point is LOST on many leaders....