One great lesson of the last year or so has been learning not to worry about what people think of me. I was encouraged to hear Donald Miller say on a podcast that many great leaders have struggled with wanting people to like them. I guess most people do. I also heard Carly Fiorina speak to this in an interview.
“If you can’t get over being criticized you will never fulfill your potential . . . you will never lead . . . you will never actually solve the problem, because criticism is the price. . . . I tune it out. That doesn’t mean I didn’t seek feedback. Feedback is very important and come from people who actually care about what you are trying to do or about you. . . . Whatever choice I make, someone will be unhappy.”
The Apostle Paul also wrote about this.
“Am I now seeking the approval of man? . . . If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
“Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?”
