How to Turn Critics Into Allies

Leaders are frequently confronted with situations in which critics question them to the core during the course of their careers. Dealing with them appears to be an unavoidable situation. How you respond to this pressure will determine your success or failure. Taking into account the importance of understanding how to deal with critics, Bob Langert, who leads sustainability and corporate responsibility at McDonald’s, discusses how to effectively turn critics into allies in this TED Business podcast episode.

The episode begins with Bob discussing how he has faced critics throughout his career and how it is only through his experience working with them that he has gathered effective strategies to turn critics into allies. He explains how some of the most common responses to critics are simply denying and diverting, resulting in no progress. He believes that the alternative is extremely potent. In his experience, working with critics and attempting to do more good for society is far more fruitful. You must assume that your critics have the best of intentions for you and your organization. He suggests focusing on the truth rather than the lowly company tactics. One of the most important tips that Bob shares in order to turn critics into allies is to let the critics examine your work environment freely. He believes that being open and transparent with them can greatly help. Reaching out and collaborating with them helps understand what is lacking in the organization and what steps can be taken in order to fill the gaps. If you find yourself in a situation where you have to work with the toughest critics who may not have your best interests at heart, evaluate what they want, what they believe in, and how you can help them understand your point of view in a better way. The episode also deals with how it is critical to avoid your defense mechanism when working with critics in order to turn critics into allies. Finally, it is advised to maintain a positive attitude in order to resolve issues more effectively.

It is critical to find common ground with critics and be on the same page in order to deal with them. To turn critics into allies, it is crucial to first understand their point of view and then respond and make the necessary changes. When confronted with a situation like this, it is very common to feel befuddled and trapped. However, the tips discussed by Langert in this TED Business podcast episode will undoubtedly help you turn critics into allies and face challenges in the most effective way possible.