The world is awash in critics. I challenge you to scroll through any social media platform for just 90 seconds, and you’ll see an endless stream of people pointing fingers, highlighting flaws, and claiming they could have done better. This reality has been weighing on my mind lately as I reflect on the relationship between criticism, complacency, and the courage required to actually make a difference.
One of my most treasured possessions is a framed print my wife gave me years ago featuring Theodore Roosevelt’s famous “Man in the Arena” speech. The opening lines have guided my approach to life and leadership: “It’s not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or doer of deeds could have done better.”
These words resonate deeply because they highlight a fundamental truth: it’s infinitely easier to criticize than to create. It’s simpler to point out flaws than to build something meaningful. It’s more comfortable to sit on the sidelines than to step into the arena.
The Critic-Complacency Connection
I’ve often wondered about the relationship between criticism and complacency. Does being a critic spawn complacency, or does complacency create critics? While I don’t have a definitive answer, I believe they’re deeply intertwined. Both positions allow people to avoid the vulnerability and risk that come with actually doing something.
Critics can hide behind their keyboards, never exposing themselves to the possibility of failure. The complacent can justify their inaction by focusing on why things won’t work. Both stances protect the ego while contributing nothing of value.
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The Power of Collaboration and Courage
The alternative to criticism and complacency is to become what I call a “collaborator” – someone willing to jump into the arena alongside others to create something meaningful. This requires tremendous courage because it means making yourself vulnerable to failure, judgment, and yes, criticism.
True collaboration demands that we:
- Set aside our egos and listen to others’ perspectives
- Share our ideas even when they might be rejected
- Take risks that could lead to public failure
- Remain open to feedback that actually helps us improve
When we collaborate with courage, we create possibilities that never existed before. We build things that critics could never imagine because they’re too busy tearing down rather than building up.
My Personal Experience with Critics
About 17 years ago, I experienced firsthand the ease with which critics attack those who dare to do. I had developed a ganglion cyst on my wrist that limited my workout options. Despite this challenge, I discovered I could still do push-ups with my brace on.
My youngest son and a professional soccer player who was living with us at the time decided to form what we called a “perfect push-up club.” We committed to the program with discipline and determination. By the final week, I completed 700 perfect push-ups without resting – an achievement my son proudly posted on YouTube.
The critics descended immediately. My back wasn’t perfectly straight. My form wasn’t flawless. The list of complaints went on and on.
What struck me was how many people felt entitled to criticize this accomplishment from the comfort of their couches. I wondered how many of them had ever attempted anything remotely similar. It’s always easier to critique than to create, to complain than to complete.
Choose Your Path
We all face a choice in how we engage with the world around us. We can:
- Be critics who point out flaws without offering solutions
- Remain complacent, watching life pass by from the sidelines
- Become collaborators who join forces with others to build something meaningful
- Summon the courage to step into the arena, knowing we might fail but trying anyway
The path of the critic is well-traveled and comfortable. The path of the collaborator is challenging but infinitely more rewarding.
As you move through your week, I encourage you to notice when you slip into criticism or complacency. Then ask yourself: What would it look like to collaborate instead? What would require courage for me right now? How can I step into the arena rather than commenting from the stands?
The world doesn’t need more critics. It needs more collaborators with the courage to create, build, and make a difference – even when their push-ups aren’t perfect.
