Critics or Detractors

If a new story is to gain prominence sufficient enough for people to invest in it the stake of their identity, it must be thought of as credible. Credible doesn’t mean without criticism but of adequate substance. In other words, that what is being said in the new story is deemed true thereby giving members the ability to effectively counter a detractor’s calls. Critics and criticism aren’t the stuff of people rejecting a new story, that’s reserved for disingenuousness and a lack of careful, caring planning. Detractors are those who disguise their motives as criticism when in reality it has more to do with preventing the story from changing. I’ve found that usually, a personal investment is at risk. Critics, on the other hand, are a leader’s best friends because they speak out with yours and the organization’s best interests in mind. Anything else is detraction. Because I believe this, I will not internalize a person’s criticism if he or she doesn’t have some concern for my welfare. The difference is that in the one the person has accepted you as leader and in the other you’re merely thought of as a placeholder.