Living Among Critics
10Oct2008 Filed under: Personal Brand, Persuasion, Professional Development, Society, brand you, human spirit Author: DUST!NLast night, I attended a meeting held by my daughter’s teacher. She was explaining the structure of the class and led us through some sample exercises she uses with the students.
Occasionally, she called upon us parents for volunteers to read or give answers.
I was stunned by the silence and awkward glances downward.
The teacher shared her observation that her students were much more eager to participate than their parents.
It gave me pause to wonder - why were we so hesitant to speak up, give answers… hesitant to take even the smallest risk? Much has been said of our fear of failure, but failure was not the deciding factor here. It’s not like our success would be dictated by how well we read “See Jane run.”
How come parents paused when our children would have eagerly spoken up?
I think somewhere between 3rd grade and our 3rd year of college, we have been beaten, chiseled, hardened and restrained by perpetual criticism. We’re a cynical society. We make snide remarks all the time about someone’s speech impediment, religious affiliation, choice of wardrobe or choice of friends. The constant wear has made us paranoid… even as adults.
It’s obvious in politics. Candidates like McCain, Palin, Obama and Biden know the very words they speak will be used in an attempt to hang them later. But should they let the critics dictate their speeches, let alone their policies?
How about you? Are you paranoid because of living among critics? And how much power do you give them over your life?
More on this from Seth.
3 Responses to “Living Among Critics”
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Cynthia Maniglia
October 14th, 2008 at 9:27 am
Funny, you can walk past a group of kids hanging out at a local 7-11, and all you hear are 4-letter words. I’m not so sure the younger generation has much to say. In the home, there’s no pressure to sit at the dinner table and talk about current events or personal life (ala Leave It To Beaver). All too often the TV is blaring in the background, the meal isn’t on the table, and mom and dad aren’t even home.
DUST!N
October 14th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Cynthia, yes that’s probably an example of other changes that occur between 3rd grade and the 3rd year in college.
I think the younger generation has plenty to say (see the proliferation of MySpace and other social media), but your last sentence is the most telling. They have a lot to say to each other, not so much to us. Maybe partly because they don’t think we’ll listen (if we’re there at all).
In writing this, I focused on the criticism of peers, but you’re making me think about the hierarchy now. Thanks for your thoughts.
Cynthia Maniglia
October 19th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
Speaking up for yourself and things you believe in is a skill one must muster over a lifetime. One must first feel his or her voice is one that is heard and is worthy of hearing. This has all to do with self-esteem.