Don't fear criticism

Every once in a while, I come across an online post that I feel has an important enough of a message to be shared.  Over the weekend, I came across a video of a teacher writing math problems on the dry erase board (see the video here).  Call me a little crazy, but it seemed a little weird that he was writing the multiplication table for the number 9 to a group of students who looked to be at least high school age.  Oh well, that detail is not too important.  He wrote down the wrong answer for 9 x 10 (he wrote "91"), and one of his students called him out on it.  The teacher then admits that he wrote down the wrong answer on purpose, because he wanted to teach his students an important lesson.

The teacher asked why no one in the class had recognized or said anything after he wrote down the first 9 math facts correctly, asking "No one congratulated me, why?"  He goes on to say, "I made a mistake and you laughed and criticized."  The students responded with something along the lines of "You're the teacher, you're supposed to be smart."

The teacher goes on to say that just because he is an authority figure, it doesn't mean that he is smarter or better than his students, nor does it mean that he is perfect.  Authority figures - whether they are teachers or leaders, will absolutely make mistakes!  Nobody is perfect.  He goes on to say that the world is quick to criticize and find fault and much slower to praise or acknowledge the positives.  He goes on to say, "Those of you who are lucky enough to succeed or become 'successful' will likely experience more criticism than the rest.  Because you'll find that the one thing people love more than pointing out another's mistakes is when they can do it to someone who's achieved more than them."

The teacher concludes with three points that he wants his students to remember:

1. Try to notice the good in others.  If someone makes a mistake, try to let them know in a kind way, and praise more than you blame.

2. When, not if but when, you are criticized, remember the good in you.

3. Remember criticism is something that you can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.

He concludes by admonishing his students, "Don't fear criticism, but know when it comes that it's the result of your success, not your failures."