The Same Set of Facts.

The secret to running a successful business is to make sure that all key decision-makers in that business have access to the same set of facts.
- Jack Welch

A critic is often someone who does not possess the same set of facts.

A criticism is ‘Hey! Based on my understanding of the facts, you’re not acting in accordance with my expectations of how you said you would act.’

Therefore, criticism is an opportunity for both parties to compare their sets of facts and for one or both to change their understanding of the facts.

And potentially to share that change with the rest of the organisation.

As the first job of a leader is to define reality, criticism is not a threat to the leader.

It’s an invitation to lead.

Indeed - criticism can be the origin of leadership: accompanying someone towards new facts they otherwise would never have considered.

Criticism, if given and received in service of the widget, is at least a gift.

And at its best - an act of love.