One of the more difficult challenges of being a band director or coach is learning to deal with criticism.  Let’s face it.  Every thing we do is on public display and everyone who has an opinion….informed or otherwise…..has an opinion.  And they want to share it.  Sadly, I have seen good people walk away from the business because they struggled to deal with unfounded criticisms.

It would be easy to tell young teachers and coaches to “ignore it,” but that is not as easy as it sounds.  Instead, I advise them to recognize that most often, the criticisms are directed at a decision they made or a policy they have, and NOT at them as a person.  The second thing I advise them to do is to listen to the criticism and reflect upon it to determine if there is any validity to it.  If the answer is yes, make the appropriate and necessary changes.  If the answer is no, ignoring it won’t make it go away.  The best you can do is communicate the reasoning behind the decision or policy and move on.

Today, no every day, I encourage you to consider how you deal with the inevitable criticisms.  Carrying them around with you is clearly not good for your mental health so there must be alternatives.  However you choose to deal with it, just remember, the criticism is almost always directed at a decision or policy… and not YOU!  Just sayin’!

Make Today a Magnificent Day!

Gary L Rupert

Lead Mentor/COO

II:Leaders Creating:II Leaders

LCL Mentors @ Marching Arts Education