Winning Words 2/5/13
“Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, or a stranger.”  (Franklin P. Jones)  FPJ was a popular writer who had a knack for mixing thought-provoking ideas with humor…like today’s quote.  Did you get it?  None of us likes to be criticized, but, in truth, constructive evaluation is helpful.  A daily poll gives the President’s approval rating.  What if there was one for you…and me?    ;-)  Jack

 FROM DR PAUL IN MICHIGAN:  Love this!!!!!////JACK:  A "modifier" is one of the parts of grammar that I learned about when I was paying attention to the teacher.  Take away the modifier, "honest," and the quote would be even more true.

 FROM HONEST JOHN:  Since you and I don't do much anymore, I would assume that our approval ratings are at an all time high.////JACK:  I wonder what kind of an approval rating Amos had when he was doing his thing?  There are some pastors who have a hammer and see every problem situation as a nail.

 FROM WALMART REV:  The downside of that to me in regards to such folk that are constantly being rated for their performance, (political figures to sports figures and referees, etc) . . . they become used to it and it is often put aside as "part of the job" . . . kind of like the preacher being only as good as his last sermon . . . to react to the criticism can become non-motivating as to "why" react to something so subjective and fluid ////JACK:  I'm reminded of the quote attributed to Lincoln:  "You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time"  Insert the word, "please," instead of "fool," and you see the problem facing those in "performance-rating" occupations, which includes pastors and the President.

 FROM PEPPERMINT MARY:  funny quote!  i would prefer perhaps a monthly approval rating.  the "in the moment passion" griefs would be extinguished.  the real need criticism would not be forgotten.////JACK:  An honest evaluation helps us to do a better job.  Who wouldn't want that?  Of course, you also have to evaluate the source.

 FROM CS IN RICE LAKE:  How much easier it is to find fault with someone else rather than looking at ourselves…guilty as charged!////JACK:  I like the old saying..."When you point your finger at someone, you have 3 fingers pointing back at you."

 FROM SHARIN' SHARON:  Actually, I have had to think this whole issue of criticism through because of someone close to me and also someone more distant from me and their "constructive evaluation" styles that makes me say to myself "I don't want to be in a position of judgment 'teaching' like them" and it's because the "constructive evaluation" doesn't also contain some "affirmation evaluation" too. Probably none of us is so unrelentingly poor at doing something that there is absolutely nothing good to be said about our efforts. That said, I think our President is doing a fine job.////JACK:  Even though an elephant has skin over an inch thick, it is sensitive to the touch of a fly.  There are times when "thick-skinned" people are like that, too.

 FROM JOAN L:  Best yet, John.  I'm going to mention it at a meeting today.  Good for the smile of the day. ////JACK:  Is your smile sardonic, or one of amusement?

 FROM GOOD DEBT JON:  Better the barbs of a friend than the kiss of an enemy…. (from memory)  http://bible.cc/proverbs/27-6.htm   KJ: Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.////JACK:  Proverbs is one of my favorite parts of the Bible (naturally).

 FROM MEDD-O-LANE:  I don't know for sure because I never seem to get Honest criticism ////JACK:  What kind of criticism do you get?

 FROM CL IN CALIFORNIA:  a flashlight on our lives is uncomfortable and most of us do not like it ////JACK:  A spotlight is even worse.

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  I imagine if they hand-picked the pollers for the family...I would be way up there.  Now for friends and strangers???  I'm not so sure.  I'll have to ponder that awhile.  Good things to think about though.////JACK:  Some of my best critiques have come from family members.

 FROM PLAIN FOLKS CHESTER:  None of us likes to be patronized, either!////JACK:  I found that when asked to do an evaluation, it is best to begin by pointing out some good points, and then move to what is not so good, and finally to suggest some ways in which improvement can be made.

FROM HR IN MICHIGAN:  I agree, the better you can process honest criticism the more effective you’ll become  Plus, No one should be subjected to a daily poll, right?  Good leadership is the ability to hear all sides of an issue and make the best decision regardless of its popularity. You can get too distracted by what you think is going to be popular, which is commonly mistaken for a quick but ineffective fix to a problem. ////JACK:  I think back to Harry Truman, when he was running for President.  The polls continued to show that he was losing, but he kept "giving them hell."  Learn from honest criticism and, then, move on doing what you think is right.

 FROM BLAZING OAKS:  Honest or dishonest, criticism is  hard to take! But especially if you are in ministry, you realize shortly that you can't please EVERYONE!  Interesting fact about the elephant; I'll have to remember that!  It's more important to feel right with 'God than with other people. (Tho isn't it nice when you can do both>?!)  If a person is very critical, I always feel they are an unhappy person, wanting to share their misery!  I love the saying, "Be kind, for everyone you know is fighting an uphill battle!"  ////JACK:  Personally, I don't like sugar-coated cereals.  I prefer to put on my own sweetener.

FROM KF IN MICHIGAN:  I truly believe this; I also believe a compliment here and there on a job well done  can be very motivating.........////JACK:  Note that the modifier for "criticism" is "honest."  I wonder... Are honest criticism and constructive criticism the same?