The other week, I poked the bear… and Craig.
See, I wrote about how, no matter what you do, a big chunk of the general population will always see business owners as evil, greedy, money-robbing arseholes.
…And, well, I’ve never had so many emails.
Most, perhaps unsurprisingly, in agreement and support.
A few shared some private horror stories that proved the point.
A couple of usual suspects told me to ‘fcuk off and die’ which was on brand.
But then there was one…
There always is.
Critical Craig.
(Not his real name.)
Things Craig gave me ‘some honest feedback’ on…
My tone.
My spelling.
My attitude.
My unkindness.
My face.
My lack of empathy.
My lack of inclusivity.
Now, I was very tempted to respond and tell Craig to join the back of the queue.
…But then I googled him.
Turns out Craig works in HR in a County Council.
Always has.
Hmmm.
So the best thing to do with this ‘honest feedback?’
Delete.
Why?
“Don’t take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.”
Now, I didn’t come up with this.
Yet it is something that has served me well, in all areas of life.
… But especially when it comes to running a business.
See, I suspect, if you’ve been in this game a while you’ve had family, friends, maybe even a randomer on the internet give you their criticisms on how you run your business…
…When they have never run a business in their lives.
Now, does this make them bad people?
No.
Not necessarily.
But should you listen to them?
Also no.
In this game, there are folks you should listen to, and folks you shouldn’t.
It’s for you to decide which voices matter.
And for the ones that don’t?
Hit delete.
Fast.
Maybe use them for email stories if you fancy.
But remember….
“Don’t take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.”
Until next time.
Make More. Provide More. Be More.
Charlie Hutton
