Embrace criticism and make it work for you

Here’s a cool way to handle criticism that not only deflects negativity but also turns it into a benefit.

It came up in a conversation I had with my client, Dani.

The Problem: Dani had been working on her email engagement and was feeling stuck. She was getting responses (“love what you’re doing,” “you’re amazing”), but they were more like polite nods rather what she was aiming for: indications that people were learning or laughing.

The Situation: We spent some time talking about what was going on in her life, and she mentioned that a competitor, and mentor, had accused her of copying their teaching style. She literally called Dani a “copycat.” Brilliant. I seized on it immediately.

The Strategy: Double Down on the Insult

We brainstormed a way for Dani to own the insult, flip it, and turn it into an entertaining story for her audience — one of my favorite strategies.

Here’s how Dani flipped the criticism on its head and made it work for her:

1. Acknowledge the Criticism: Dani admitted to being inspired by her mentor’s teaching style. She detailed how she studied her mentor’s classes, took notes, and refined her own approach based on those learnings.

2. Own It Completely: Instead of denying or downplaying the accusation, she embraced it. "Yes, I’m a copycat. The world’s greatest copycat, in fact. Here’s exactly how I did it."

3. Share the Process: She wrote an email sharing the story of how she meticulously wrote down everything her mentor said, analyzed it, and used it to improve her own teaching. She included photos of her handwritten notes and highlights, showing her dedication and process.

4. Highlight the Value: By sharing this story, Dani isn’t just admitting to copying; she’s demonstrating her commitment to growth and excellence. She’s showing her audience the value of learning from others and improving upon it.

The Outcome:

• Transparency: This approach builds trust with her audience. She’s not hiding anything; she’s being open about her methods.

• Engagement: It’s a story that people can relate to. Everyone has been criticized or accused of doing something disingenuous at some point in their life. It shows vulnerability and honesty.

• Interest: This email created more responses and involvement than anything in Dani’s recent memory. Now, her audience is looking forward to what she’ll share next.

By doubling down on the insult, Dani turned a potential negative into a positive, creating a deeper connection with her audience.

If you’re facing criticism, try this approach. Embrace it, own it, and use it to tell a story. It can be a powerful way to not only build trust and engagement with your audience, but entertain them in the process.