How to Respond to Criticism – Learning from Dr. King

"So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be."

Everytime I hear or read this line I get chills down my back. He took a word with an incredibly negative connotation (still remains true today) and turned it into a call for action. This is how I imagine true leaders-- people who listen to their criticisms, but use their intellect and common sense to turn their perceived weaknesses into strengths.

Not exactly a guide on "how to respond to criticism." More like "Tim Ferris Presents... MLK's Letter From A Birmingham City Jail."

He basically RT'd Martin Luther King Jr.

Wow, he wrote that in four days. King was a man in unbelievable talent to be sure, but it certainly shows that someone can produce something amazing in a short period if they have convictions and a bunch of free time.

Think of the letter this way also: there were millions of people who faced the same awful conditions every day. But of those millions, how many were able to communicate the experience to someone else?

That's what made him great - he was able to communicate what all the other millions could only feel.

True: It is too bad there was no analysis done. Presenting the letter and bolding parts of it makes it more readable and highlights key points. However, those points make much less sense and have much less power if all you read is the bolded portions. Good commentary on what King was doing and why would have been more valuable.

I haven't managed to get through the whole thing yet, but a few things I have noticed:

1) King states that he rarely responded to his critics, but did sometimes. On the one hand, it's a bad idea to spend too much time arguing with people about your work. It takes precious time and energy away from the work and it sends the wrong message about your mission. A good way to "lose" such a battle is let your detractors distract you overly much with such tactics. On the other hand, never responding to criticism leaves your critics with too much power to shape public opinion. Don't get mired in arguing with these people whose minds you are unlikely to change. But don't let them have the only say in shaping public opinion. When responding to them, be cognizant that you are really speaking to a larger audience and this larger audience is the one you most want to reach. You have little hope and little need of really winning over your critics. It is sufficient to neutralize them in the battle for mindshare.

2) King preached non-violence and taught his people to not retaliate.

If you genuinely want justice, you cannot retaliate. Retaliation proves to people that you don't genuinely value justice. It proves that you would do as much injustice to those currently in power as they are doing to you if only you had the power to do so. Standing by your principles is far more powerful.

3) While not retaliating, King does not hesitate to call people on their BS.

This is a distinction many people seem to have difficulty making. It is a powerful distinction that helps give teeth (so to speak) to a non-violent position. Non-violence does not mean being a wuss. Respecting people does not mean kissing arse.

4) Avoid hyperbole and stick to the facts.

The facts are usually plenty ugly on their own and typically do not require hyperbole to get strong reaction. Hyperbole is a good way to give your critics a means to dismiss you as a hysterical nutcase.

Feeding a squirrel while wearing a tank top is a good move. Draws attention away from the fact that you're trying to draw attention to your buff physique while at the same time emphasizing your sensitive caring side. Not that there's anything wrong with showing off your buff physique. Unless you're Tim Ferris, in which case highlighting how big a poser you are is probably the last thing you need. The squirrel is genius though.