Criticism - take it or leave it?
Criticism and Praise - take it or leave it?Hello again
I was back with the business students I spoke to the other day. Today I was judging part of their business studies' practical component.
Lots of the students came up and said how much they enjoyed the speech on Wednesday. And how funny it was.
One young lady I spoke with took me through her business idea - which was a fashion assistance concept. She said something to me like:
"Like that jacket you wore on Wednesday! Seriously, you have to get rid of it! This fashion idea would let you know of fashion disasters like that....."
Okay, then. Mark her down for a ZERO!! How's she like them apples??! F stands for FAILED!
Just kidding (no I'm not!).
I love that jacket
I love the sports jacket she was talking about (it's the jacket I'm wearing on the top right of this page. You can't see it real well, but it's a checked, light brown jacket).
But everyone else seems to hate it. Everyone in the office calls it my "Cardigan". A guy I play golf with asked me if I'd inherited it from my grandfather.
Anyway, back to what I was talking about.
Criticism and Praise - take it or leave it?
Everyone told me what a great speech it was. How it was the best they'd heard. The funniest.
But I always find it hard to judge praise.
A lot of people will tell you what they think you want to hear.
The motivation is nice of course. They want you to feel good and be pleased with yourself. And that's great.
But when you need 'real' reviews, it can be tricky to get the information you need to be a better speaker, a better businessperson, a better whatever.
Happiest moment of my life
My other favourite one is this question:
"What's been the happiest moment of your life, Brendon?"
My answer is always the same.
"Well, that's easy. When my first child was born...." I say with a sincere smile fixed to my face.
Ha! That's all I say now! HA. HA.
I make that crap up because it's what the person wants to hear!
Try the truth on for size, baby!!
Real moment # 1: Footy Grand Final. We'd creamed the other team and won by a big, big space. Back to the hotel after and drank our body weight in beer. Once we'd done that.....more beer!!
Real moment # 2: Footy game. 5 points down. 10 seconds to go. I've marked the ball which stops play. I'm 45 metres out on an acute angle. The siren goes. We need a goal (worth 6 points to win).
It's a tough goal to kick. Can I do it?
I go back. Calm. poised. Shaking inside. I trot in and kick. The ball, and I've never had this measured but I'm pretty sure, splits the exact centre of the goals. The goal umpire watches as the ball sails over his head deep into the crowd behind.
GOAL!! We win by 1 point. I''m the hero!! More beer...........
Moment # 3: Me. Bar. Beautiful woman walks in.............. And because this is a 'G' rated web site, that's all you're getting!
Now if my wife reads this, my top moments will suddenly change to:
Moment # 1: 1st child born
Moment # 2: 2nd child born
Moment # 3: 3rd child born
Moment # 4: When I first met you darling......
Are you out of your mind! I repeat, having a kid is lucky to rank in my top 10,000. It only narrowly beats the time I had my Wisdom Teeth removed!
Have a look at the facts
Get a kid who, for the next 20 years, is going to annoy me, spend my money, borrow my car, eat my food, and interrupt me when I'm trying to "get busy" with my own wife.
And don't even get me started about keeping me awake at night, vomiting breast milk on me, weeing on me when I'm kind enough to change its nappy...........I could go on and on. And I usually do. But there's not enough space with my web host for me to finish!
But the point of all this is this. People lie!!
As Jack Nicholson might say, "They think you can't handle the truth!"
And it's real hard to tell what's the truth and what's a lie.
So when anyone ever criticises you, take that on board. Because it's rare. If it's from some idiot who doesn't know what he's talking about, then dismiss it and don't give it another thought.
If it's from someone you respect, take a look at it and use it to improve yourself.
Now go find your dad. Ask him this question:
"Dad, you have to answer this question honestly. What has been the greatest moment of your life?"
If his answer doesn't contain the words "Beer", "Football" or "Women" - not necessarily in that order - then he's lying. He's telling a big fib!
Don't say I don't give you good information. Now go and ask.
Have a good weekend. I'm off to spend it with my beautiful wife and 3 gorgeous children.
Oh look. My nose is growing longer and longer...............
Cheers
Brendon "I'm a real little boy" Sinclair
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