Is it just me or does the world seem to be overflowing with “Debbie Downers?” I really hope I’m just overwhelmed with skepticism but, truth be told, I typically run into many more people that fixate on problems than those that see solutions. The former are the naysayers, the progress-blockers, the “It can’t be done” whiners. The latter are the optimistic, the progress-generators, the “We can do it” enthusiasts.
The Analytical
All things being equal, we can usually divide people into clearly-defined camps based on their attributes. There are the achievers and the lazy, the logical and the creative, the motivated and the passive, but in all camps we find individuals that are analytical. These are the persons who mind the details. Some are incredible at seeing the larger picture, the completed puzzle as a whole, and some are better at focusing in on the specific aspects of a plan, but all are capable of taking a laser-like approach that emphasizes precision.
All types of personalities are necessary for a business or endeavor to perform at its peak. But the analytical are a special kind of special. They’re the ones that notice the powerful train is useless when no track is lain before it while everyone else is cheering it on. Or, put another way, they can see the end from the beginning because of their innate ability to evaluate the components of a thing and project its course to an inevitable conclusion. So, yeah, they’re pretty important. But even within this singular classification of analysts, there are two types.
The Critics
The critics are the ones who, when approached with a scenario, see only the faults. They fixate on the issues at hand and are vocal about the roadblocks or problems that arise when setting one’s hand to the plow. This brilliance at knowing just how “mission-capable” a person or venture truly is allows them to prevent disaster by identifying missteps within any given minefield. The problem is, though, that critics cease their analysis at the hang-ups, with the verdict always being failure or impossibility.
I’ll give you an example. Once, I was in the process of building a virtual operations strategy for a business. Its components included a front-end website that interacted with prospects and drew in clients through marketing strategies. There was then a center-piece which consisted of a platform within which the “work” got done. It allowed employees to fulfill client demands, develop documents, complete forms, communicate efficiently, and store or transfer the finished product. Then, the back-end handled point-of-sale transactions and contract completions.
After months of planning, I already had the rough idea of how this would work in my mind but lacked the technical finesse to build this digital system. So, naturally, I approached a programmer/web designer to bring it to life. I won’t name names and I’ll spare you the exorbitantly long details of our correspondence but, to be succinct, all the web designer seemed programmed to say was “that won’t work.” We’d approach an aspect and then he’d point out a problem. I’d offer a potential solution or something for him to consider and he’d shoot it down with another problem. I’d pivot and point to a new way the platform might operate and he’d give a long narrative about how time-consuming and expensive it would be to go that route. In the end, I was so frustrated I took my business elsewhere. And I’m glad I did. The platform ended up being built successfully in a shorter time period and with 1/10th of the cost originally proposed, both of which he said there was “no way around.” This is the definition of a critic: point out all of the problems, find no solutions.
The Critical
The critical, on the other hand, are the team members that are simply indispensable. This is not because they are necessarily the most intelligent, hardworking, or frugal, but because they are solution-oriented. They see the problems and are quick to shift perspective and identify a way to solve them. They apply creativity to difficult situations and birth practical resolutions. They conquer obstacles and get results. Anyone can highlight the difficulties of a thing. But it is the miracle-workers that see the problem and already know the answer. It’s hard to overvalue someone like this being on your team.
Here’s another example. I once had to replace a shower faucet at my home. The existing valve assembly was an older model with a configuration that did not match the modern ones found in my local Lowe’s. The first plumbing associate I encountered took a look at the faucets in my hand, shook his head, and said I simply needed to find another old model, which they did not sell and would be nearly impossible to find. He said there was “virtually” no way to modernize my shower with a newer version because it was too complicated, expensive, and time-consuming to do so. Exactly how I’d go about this complicated, expensive, and time-consuming task of which he spoke, however, he hadn’t a clue.
Our conversation was short and I moved on, determined to complete what I’d set out to do. I had ideas but plumbing isn’t my forte so it certainly would have been helpful to have someone with the knowhow AND the attitude to steer me in the right direction. So I floundered for a bit and then ran into another plumbing associate. He examined the fixture, thought for a moment, and then without a hint of pessimism or hesitation, outlined exactly how I could complete my project inexpensively and with the parts at hand in the store. He then helped me find these parts and, in under 10 minutes, I was checking out and on my way home to realize my vision…which is precisely what I did. It worked like a charm. This is the definition of the critical: recognize the challenges, then identify the solutions. Same analytical skills, but with a different conclusion regarding the project entirely. Priceless.
The Difference
That brings us to the difference that matters: the way you see something. It’s easy in life to point out all the reasons something can’t be done or how hard it will be or how much it will cost or why a specific action shouldn’t be taken. Call it lazy. Call is scared. Call it incompetent.
But real skill is recognizing the hardship and quickly developing a plan that will allow you to conquer or circumvent it. Come on leaders, don’t grumble about your problems; find creative solutions. This is how to set yourself apart from your colleagues and competitors. This is how you rise in your career, company, and business ventures.
Deep within the mine field, the critic says: “Don’t step there, wait here,” while the critical says: “Don’t step there, step here…and move forward.” Which would you rather have on your team? Better yet, which type of critical are you? The difference between the two is simply your mindset. Believe and achieve or doubt and flail about.
Maybe there’s a “critical” person in your life right now. And maybe there’s a gaggle of “critics” too. The beauty of it all is that you can choose which to heed and which to ignore. And, of course, you can also choose which you will be to those around you.
Until next time, don’t just be transformed: be Kinged.
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