July 25, 2019

A BoldIdea: How to get a handle on your harshest critic

On the podcast: In order to make progress on a truly bold idea, we have to push through the criticism and get to the other side. This is hardest when the critic is harshest: ourselves.

October 24, 2014

For when the next brick that comes your way

Let’s be honest. It’s no fun being hit by a brick. Or criticism. Especially when it’s about something you’ve pour a lot of energy into; your baby, your dream. But consider this: you’ve aroused a response. Congratulations! That’s more ...

May 15, 2014

How to take the sting out of rejection [podcast]

I can get pretty excited about a new idea. That is, until I tell it to a critic. The humorist Franklin Jones once said, “Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or ...

March 12, 2014

Four strategies to bring out the best in another

How do you define a great leader? Here’s my definition: great leaders bring out the best in others to accomplish more than they imagined. Every leader I’ve admired possesses that quality. They inspired me to dig a little ...

August 9, 2013

How I broke the cardinal rule for giving feedback

Earlier this year, my son, Ryan, launched his dream of having his own film production company. He’s off to a great start, winning marquee clients who rave about his work. I’m not surprised. He’s worked hard to develop his ...

July 26, 2013

5 things that shut down your idea factory

You’re an idea factory. Every day a thought might run through your mind that is truly remarkable, perhaps even life-changing. It’s vital that we keep our idea factory pumping out at high volume. To do that, we need to ...

May 31, 2013

The casualty of exactness

I can be a stickler for detail. More than once my wife has called me “Mr. Exactitude” after correcting a detail in a conversation we might be having. She even bought a replica of the famous Exactitude poster by ...

April 10, 2013

Dream Assassin #4: Pride

A quintet of killers are after your dream. And they may be nearer than you think. The comic strip character Pogo once observed, “We have met the enemy and he is us.” These silent assassins are often found collaborating ...

November 5, 2012

Have you surrendered your unique advantage?

You are a one-off—a one-of-a-kind blend of skill, personality, drive and passion. There’s nothing new to the idea that each of us is a unique creation. In fact, the folks at despair.com made fun of it in their “demotivational” ...

March 30, 2010

Thought for the Day – James R. Cook on Confidence

Do just once what others say you can’t do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again.”– James R. Cook I’ve got voices in my head. You probably do too. Many of my voices put me down. ...

Leary Gates | Venture coach

Turn your vision into venture. Ideas into action.

Tag Archives: criticism