Have you ever met someone who is quick to give his opinion about how things should be done but doesn’t accomplish much himself? The bystander. The critic. Present but uninvolved. Passive but opinionated. Occasionally, his input may be beneficial, but I prefer the thoughts of people who are fully engaged in the process they’re commenting on, or at least fully engaged in something.
I do enjoy and see the benefit of, getting multiple inputs and opinions. One of my favorite leadership thoughts is “All of us are smarter than one of us.” Getting input from a lot of people on any idea or plan will improve it. But good input usually comes from engaged, active people — those who have earned a place in the conversation through involvement.
In a speech titled Man in the Arena, Theodore Roosevelt spoke of the importance of individual responsibility and involvement:
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
[For a unique and interesting commentary on Roosevelt’s full speech, read Michael Cullinane’s article What celebrities get wrong about a famous Teddy Roosevelt Speech. ]
Great essay Don. It reminds me of a story I heard about an encounter D.L. Moody had with a man who came up to him after a revival meeting..
The man said, “I don’t like your evangelism techniques.” Moody asked, “Well what are your techniques?” The man said, “Well, I don’t have any.” Moody replied, “I like mine better!”
Thanks for responding, Ed. I wish I had heard the D.L. Moody quote before; I would have put it in the post. I hope you are well. Don
Most successful people in life have a Mentor.
I like the man who encourages a person ideas and doesn’t try to give his ideas.
Henry, what great thoughts. I agree, having a mentor is more helpful than reading a lot of books or attending workshops. Keep the comments coming. Don
Appreciate this and your other insights. Praying for you in these important days!
Charlene, thanks for kind and encouraging words. Don
Dear Don,
This is brilliant! As my husband is one of those critics, I certainly appreciate the thought behind this post.
A great example. The England soccer coach enabled the team to reach the finals of the recent Euro competition but my husband would not concede that he was the most successful manager since Alf Ramsey who lead the England side to world cup victory in 1966. Since Gareth Southgate (the manager) stepped down, my daughter and I have suggested that my husband might like to apply for the post!
Hope you can enjoy some rest and relaxation this summer.
As always, Angela, it’s good to hear from you. It’s so easy for all of us to give advice “from a distance.” Take care and carry on (to use an English phrase). Don