This past year the organization where I work experienced significant growth. The company went from 30 employees to 43 and the year before another five were added to the team. So, in two years the company grew in number of employees by 72%. This growth had an effect on all the employees who were with the organization since inception and those that joined the team along the way during the previous six years.
Bringing new people to an organization from all different backgrounds can create sometimes culture shock to the ones that have been with the organization for several years before. The company has to go to through an adjustment period, roles are reassigned, responsibilities are switched or increased, and everyone is affected one way or another. During the process, people’s feelings can get hurt and criticism can occur.
Today, I want to share a devotional from my book, Devotions for Working Women, that encourages us to discern between positive criticism and negative criticism. Once we make that determination, we can grow from what we learned during the process and move on. Growing an organization can be very exciting but, at the same time, it can be an opportunity for the enemy to come in and try to destroy us.
Listen to Constructive Criticism and Grow
# 351
Proverbs 15:31-32 (NLT)
If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
Nobody likes to be criticized. There are two kinds of criticism: constructive and destructive. We must learn to discern if we’re getting one or the other. If you know the person who is giving you the correction as someone who loves you and cares about you, then accept it as constructive criticism. Learn from it, thank them, and move on.
On the other hand, if the criticism comes from someone who hardly knows you or is ill intentioned, then drop it and move on. If you are not sure, then ask God to help you discern and confirm the correction.
It is wise to accept constructive criticism. God will put people at work sometimes to help you develop in your career. He will also send people in your family or friends to help you mature. Don’t get offended and blow them off. Take these opportunities to grow in understanding.