Got Critics?

If you are going to grow your business you’re going to have critics. If you have a vision you’re going to have critics. If you want to change your business strategy you’re going to have critics. So, here’s a little parable about what happens if you pay too much attention to the critics both inside and outside your business.

An old man, a boy and a donkey were going into town. The boy rode on the donkey and the old man walked. As they went along, they passed some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding.

The man and the boy thought maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions.

Later, they passed some people that remarked, “What a shame, he makes that little boy walk.”

So, they decided they’d both walk. Soon, they passed some more folks who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a good donkey to ride. So, they both rode the donkey.

Now they passed some people that shamed them by saying how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey.

The boy and the man figured they were probably right, so they decided to carry the donkey. As they crossed a bridge, they slipped, lost their grip and the donkey fell into the river and drowned.

Moral of the story?

If you try to please everyone, you might as well…

Kiss your ass goodbye.