“A Thought and a Smile…”
By Eelco H. Dykstra, M.D.
As your columnist, I have leeway in selecting a topic to write about. Now, as with every year, we tend to ask questions such as:
- What was your word for 2024?
- What are your plans in 2025?’
It’s also the time to express what you wish for.
My wish for 2025 is that collectively, we do a better job in ‘Embracing Criticism’.
“Criticism is a compliment because it shows one cares”.
This sentence is straight from a speaking engagement at the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Amsterdam. The title of my presentation was “A Meta-approach to Knowledge Management”. In it, I used the word ‘meta’ in its meaning of ‘an all-encompassing, overarching umbrella under which all and any entities can unite – instead of compete’.
Knowledge Management (KM) is, simply put, the art and science of how we manage what we have learned, are learning and still can learn. Criticism is an important, even crucial part of this. So, how do we deal with criticism? Do we reject it? Are we open to it? Do we ignore it? Do we learn from it? Do we embrace it?
Criticism is often framed as ‘constructive’ and/or ‘destructive’. While it is true that positive feedback confirms – and makes us feel good about – what we do, say and are, it is actually the negative feedback from which we (can) learn much more. So, when we look at criticism in this way, negative feedback can be remarkably constructive!
Considering criticism as a compliment doesn’t merely allow us to become more open to it, but we might even welcome it as a most desirable tool to improve everything we do, say and are.
One of the basic requirements for embracing criticism is TIME.
We need time. Time to receive, time to review and time to judge criticism. Do not merely set time aside to be open to criticism but reserve more time to proactively look for and ask for it. Let’s also not forget that while we are sending, we cannot receive and when we speak, we cannot listen.
Another aspect of how to embrace criticism is that we realize that there is a difference between “I DON’T CARE” and “I DON’T MIND”. There are still people out there whose command of English is such that they think that the two expressions mean the same. Well, they don’t. When it comes to dealing with criticism, “I don’t care” signifies that one is unlikely to listen to it. When, on the other hand, we hear “I don’t mind”, they likely will.
A further element needed to embrace criticism, is the realization of the difference between ‘EVIDENCE’ and ‘PROOF’. Again, they are not the same.
Evidence is what is given to a court (of justice…) but it only becomes accepted as ‘Proof’ once the court, upon careful review, has passed judgment.
A next obstacle for embracing criticism is when we confuse FORMAT with CONTENT.
When we don’t like the format or the packaging of criticism, we often use this to justify that we don’t have to listen to it or review it. What we seem to forget though, is that this amounts to an outright refusal to learn. Well, we can all agree that that isn’t very smart…
So, what do we need to embrace criticism in 2025?
- Set aside time to collect, review and learn from criticism
- When faced with criticism, don’t say “I don’t care”, but “I don’t mind!”
- Gather all the evidence you can, because without evidence, there’s zero proof
- Ignore the packaging of criticism and instead, focus on its content.
My wish for 2025 is “Embrace Criticism”.
What’s yours?
About the author:
Once dubbed a ‘Global Nomad’ in East Africa, Eelco H. Dykstra is a seasoned international crisis and emergency expert. As a true ‘Prac-Ademic’, he blends – also in his column “A Thought and a Smile” – his innate optimism with knowledge from his practical experience and rigorous fact-finding.
Aside from being founder/chair of the Daily Impact Emergency Management (DIEM) network and a visiting professor in South Africa, he initiated the ’20/20 Vision’ program for the dual purpose of strengthening value-based resilience and overcoming the obstacles that stand in the way of implementing lessons (to be) learned. Eelco has been a correspondent, written multiple books and articles and continues to work extensively with media, government, business, NGO’s and community-based initiatives. In short, Eelco is a transdisciplinary and trans-cultural multi-tasker – just like diplomats are.
Among his hobbies are cooking and playing the cello – see picture, taken by Tom Manning, during an impromptu performance with the Soweto Youth Orchestra.
Eelco H. Dykstra Professor (visiting), Adaptation and Resilience, University of South-Africa, UNISA. Chair, ’20/20 Vision’ Program: How do we go from ‘Risk’ to ‘Resilience”? Founder, Daily Impact Emergency Management (DIEM) Network
www.diem.nu www.20outof20.vision / eelco.dykstra@diem.nu
