JS Tip 516: Competence, Confidence, and Criticism.

This tip is prompted by a heartfelt conversation with a very good friend: professional, intelligent, caring, yet forced to doubt by unfair criticism.

We offer three examples in chronological order: 

First Example: Theodore Roosevelt

In 1910, in a speech at the Sorbonne, Theodore Roosevelt counseled— 

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again . . . but who does the deeds.

“But who does the deeds.”

Second Example: Fred Astaire

According to the reports, Astaire had a screen test at RKO Pictures in the early 1930s. He was rejected with a brief note: 

Can’t sing. Can’t act. Balding. Can dance a little.

Gene Kelly said “the history of dance in film begins with Fred Astaire.” 

“Can dance a little.” 

Third Example: Winston Churchill

Towards the end of his life, Churchill’s daughter asked him if he had any regrets. He answered—

I regret that my father did not live long enough to see that I was of some worth.

A man who saved the free world. A man who changed the course of history.

“That I was of some worth.”

Do what is right.

Strive valiantly.

Consider the caring, constructive criticism, but reject the jealous judgment.

You are the best judge of your worth.    

What are your questions? 

What are your comments?