Criticism can feel uncomfortable, especially when you're putting your thoughts out there. But over time, I've realized that it’s one of the best ways to grow. Rather than reacting defensively, I try to pause and reflect on the feedback. Sometimes, it’s uncomfortable, but it’s often a mirror showing areas where I can improve. Engaging with the feedback in a positive way helps me refine my ideas and make my content better. At Physics Wallah, we've learned to embrace criticism as part of our journey, using it to evolve and connect with our audience on a deeper level. Thought leadership is about constant learning and growth—no one has all the answers, but we can always get better.

One reason more people don’t share their art is that shared art is subject to criticism. Sharing content is the same; when you share your ideas you open yourself up to the feedback of anyone who encounters them - and people can be mean. I was nervous about posting stories on LinkedIn at first because I knew I could not share the Human Workplace vision in a post or two. Sometimes people in the comments were frustrated because my story hadn’t answered their specific question; often, I’d write another story to answer it. So comments, sometimes very critical ones, helped me develop and refine my message and pursue my mission. It’s a great thing to share your content; if someone doesn’t like it, God bless! They don’t have to follow you.

If criticism is on our content i will say embrace it as a growth guide! We should listen, sift for insights & refine our ideas. Always its imp to show grace in our response as it builds credibility. After all even the sharpest minds are polished by a little friction .

Facing criticism on your thought leadership content? Turn it into an opportunity for growth: Listen and Reflect: Analyze the feedback objectively to identify valid points. Separate constructive criticism from noise to focus on meaningful improvements. Engage Constructively: Respond with empathy and openness. Acknowledge concerns, share your perspective, and show a willingness to evolve. Refine and Improve: Use insights to strengthen your content. Address gaps, back claims with stronger evidence, and adapt to audience expectations. Handled well, criticism can enhance credibility and deepen audience trust.

Listen and understand the criticism without taking it personally. Use feedback as a learning opportunity to identify areas for improvement. Refine your message and address any gaps in your content. Engage with your audience to show you value their input and are committed to improvement.

Analyzing criticism, accepting the truth, and taking ownership to act on it are key. It is also important to filter out criticism with wrong intentions.

One key insight I've found valuable is distinguishing between criticism, constructive feedback, and knee-jerk reactions to change. If you've experienced similar knee-jerk reactions in the past and later validated your decisions with facts, learn to endure the noise and stay focused on your course. Recognize the value in constructive criticism, as it can provide valuable insights that enhance your decision-making. Embrace it and remain agile in your approach. Disregard criticism rooted in past events if it’s offered without purpose or relevance to your current context.

One thing I have always found helpful is taking criticism on the positive note. Then go back to the drawing board and analyze what were the situations that led to the criticism, analyzing different ways on how those situations could have been handled and then frame an action plan to change. Also, it is not always you have to change yourself but the way you could have handled the situations could have been better. I always take criticisms and negative situations as a challenge to turn the tables.

Negative feedback is like unsolicited advice from your in-laws—uncomfortable but often useful. Start by figuring out what’s valid and what’s just noise (not all opinions are pearls of wisdom). Thank your critics—it’s free market research, after all—and use their input to tweak your content to better meet your audience’s needs. Address the issues head-on with honesty and a dash of charm. Transparency not only builds trust but also shows you can take a punch and keep going. Finally, turn those critiques into action steps. Remember, feedback isn’t a crisis; it’s an awkward gift wrapped in opportunity. Handle it well, and you’ll come out smarter, stronger, and maybe even a little funnier.

Feedback is a compliment. Thank the person who sent it without overstating. “I appreciate there are different perspectives, thanks for engaging.” Remember all engagement is good. Full stop.