In HR Communication, Don’t Listen to Critics

Posted on Monday, March 16, 2009 by Frank Roche

The artist doesn’t have time to listen to the critics. The ones who want to be writers read the reviews, the ones who want to write don’t have the time to read reviews. — William Faulkner

The time to do the right thing is all the time. Sure, there will be critics out there if you’re trying to change the world. It’s the easiest thing in the world to be a critic; it’s entirely another thing to be a creative.

Here’s something I know about communicating with employees: Don’t think that just because a handful people complained your communication approach is flawed. People always complain and they always criticize. Realize that their criticism doesn’t trump the thousands of people who liked what you did but stayed quiet. If you’re doing the right thing — keep going. If not — fix it. And keep writing.

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User Comments

  1. Ron Ulrici

    Mar 16th, 2009

    Frank, I think that goes for all things in life – if you are doing the right thing… keep going and don’t look back.

  2. Bill Strahan

    Mar 16th, 2009

    They can’t have a complaint if they haven’t read it. Complaints are just another way to say “thank you for communicating”!

  3. Frank Roche

    Mar 16th, 2009

    Thank you for communicating. That would be a good post. Yep, any feedback is feedback. I guess what I meant to write is this: Don’t attach over-importance to complaints. They’re just feedback…and they don’t always have to be responded to.

  4. Frank Roche

    Mar 16th, 2009

    @Ron, you’re so right. It’s a pretty good formula for living…it’s what Davy Crockett said: “Be sure you’re right, then move ahead.”

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