Leading Through Criticism

In my experience, it seems leaders are sometimes surprised when they face criticism. Perhaps it’s the young professional just recently promoted into a management role, now stunned to learn that former peers have become active critics. Or it’s the freshly graduated seminarian now serving in their first pastorate, surprised to discover—sometime sooner than they would have expected—that not everyone in the congregation is supportive. Sometimes it’s even an experienced leader in a new and trying season, finding that their commitment to stay the course and do the right thing, even though costly, is now being called into question.

The heat of criticism has only escalated for leaders in the middle of a global pandemic. When every decision gets second-guessed and comes with the weight of seemingly heavier implications than ever, criticism can almost feel crippling. So let me suggest a few ways for Christian leaders to handle criticism.

The Certainty of Criticism

No leader will escape criticism. Benjamin Franklin may have been correct that life is marked by two immovable certainties: death and taxes. But criticism is just as certain for those called to lead.

This is not new, but I find that leaders are more aware than ever of the inescapability of criticism. If our grandparents found criticism in the “customer complaints” box or in whispered tones around the office water-cooler, leaders today know that criticism can come in seemingly endless forms.

I have yet to meet an effective leader who enjoys criticism.

It might be that email that arrives in your inbox right before you go to bed, leaving you to wonder why in the world you looked at your phone and then couldn’t fall asleep. It might be a comment made in a staff meeting from a colleague who you thought was supportive of your plans or initiative, only to discover they had effectively sabotaged it. It might be waking up to discover you and your organization have been on the receiving end of a brutal social media assault. Perhaps most painfully of all, it might be from an outgoing employee who takes the opportunity to give you a listing of your deficiencies as a leader.

I have yet to meet an effective leader who enjoys criticism. Furthermore, I have yet to meet one who is absolutely impervious to it. There are some forms that are easier to brush off than others. But a leader who enjoys criticism is likely not much of a leader and probably has some pretty dysfunctional tendencies in general. 

Some forms of it are especially hurtful, especially when there is a betrayal of trust. But whether fair or not, whether communicated carefully or not, whether motivated by loving concern or not, you can count on criticism if you are a leader.

Is There Truth In It?

None of us enjoy criticism. So when it comes our way, the temptation for every leader is to immediately dismiss it. 

But effective leaders develop the ability to carefully pause and dissect the criticism. Before simply swatting it away, the emotionally healthy leader has the ability to ask, “Is there any truth in this?” 

Before simply swatting it away, the emotionally healthy leader has the ability to ask, “Is there any truth in this?” 

If you are a leader who lives for validation by other people, you will have a really hard time with this. If your greatest fear is the fear of embarrassment, then it will be almost impossible for you to entertain the question. And if you’ve ventured out into the dark waters of outright narcissism, you’ll be enraged at the idea that there might be any measure of truth in criticism you receive.

But leaders simply cannot afford that kind of blindness. Not only does it reflect some deep spiritual and psychological problems within the leader, but it significantly limits our ability to grow and lead with excellence.

So how do you do this? It requires a measure of vulnerability, but you might share the criticism with a trusted small group of friends who you know will be honest with you. If that’s not available to you, try to write out a summary of your critics’ line of argument, one that you think accurately and fairly represents their criticism. Do you recognize yourself in their criticism? Write out ways in which it may be true, as well as in which it seems to be illegitimate. 

Whatever format it takes, being willing to ask this question can actually be liberating. Once done, it allows a leader to move forward, learning what needs to be learned, initiating changes where needed, and casting aside criticism that is unfair, unfounded, or altogether inaccurate. 

Consider the Source

Good leaders can learn from anywhere and anyone. And emotionally healthy leaders have the capacity to dissect criticism to locate whatever may be legitimate. But it is also true that there are some sources that completely undermine the credibility of their criticism altogether. 

For one, there are those critics that are motivated purely by grievance and resentment. For reasons you may never understand, there will be those who simply want to see you fail, who resent your successes, and who will never miss an opportunity to try to lob an attack your way. At some point, a leader has to simply tune them out.

Every leader has to help their organization distinguish between static and substance.

Social media is an especially precarious place for thoughtful criticism. There’s much to appreciate about social media, but the entire medium is one that does not lend itself to nuance, context, or a general willingness to assume the best of others. Whether you work in the corporate world or in a non-profit organization--especially a Christian ministry--don’t waste your time trying to respond to critics on social media, especially the anonymous and seemingly pathologically caustic ones.

Every leader has to help their organization distinguish between static and substance. Frankly, there will be an endless chorus of voices out there who will second guess decisions, who will malign motives, or who will try to undermine strategic outcomes for their own gain. That’s nothing new. Part of the leader’s role is to help the organization tell the difference between what is real and substantive insight, and what’s just the grumbling of the perpetually discontent. 

Remember the Mission

There is no one-size-fits all model for leaders. Every organization has its own shape and dynamics, requiring leaders who are suited to it and can effectively lead change in a particular moment in time. But what does seem to be universally true of every leader is the necessary ability to keep the organizational mission front and center. 

A barrage of criticism has the ability to knock any leader off course, but it can also have the same effect on an organization. So leaders not only have to continually reiterate their mission in their own thinking, adjusting strategy as needed, but they have to communicate the same throughout the organization.

Keeping personal and organizational focus on the mission has a remarkably stabilizing and energizing effect, especially in the midst of criticism. Navigating through stormy waters is a challenging nautical experience, even for the most trained sailor. But aside from not letting the storm capsize the ship, what matters most is staying true to course. 

This is true of any organization, but is especially significant for Christian non-profit organizations. Keep the mission central, communicate clearly with your constituency, and maintain your core values. Entrust yourself to the Lord and depend on Him. 

Rest in the Gospel

The gospel liberates Christian leaders to respond well to criticism. Of course, the gospel is about far more than that. So let me explain.

When criticism comes, as it surely will, the gospel reminds me that my identity is not found in my work, in the opinion that others have of me, or in my professional or organizational success. Rather, the gospel assures me that I am, entirely by grace, a child of God, adopted into His family with an eternal inheritance that no one can take away (1 Peter 1:4). It assures me that my sins have been canceled at the cross (Colossians 2:14) and that there is no condemnation for me (Romans 8:1). It reminds me that now, in Christ, there is nothing that can separate me from the love of God (Romans 8:39).

In the end, the cutting edge of criticism--fair or not--looks a lot duller when held up to the light of the gospel.

If all that is true--and praise be to God it is--then every Christian leader is liberated from being enslaved to criticism. We know ourselves to be finite and frail, sinners all. We will make mistakes in our leadership. We will disappoint ourselves and others. But the Christian leader knows that who we are in Christ is not up for debate. God has settled it. So criticism can come, we can sort through it, grow from it, and discard it when unfair or untrue. In the end, the cutting edge of criticism--fair or not--looks a lot duller when held up to the light of the gospel.

When all is said and done, every Christian lives for the commendation of Christ. We long to hear the Master tell us, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 24:23).