Critics are annoying. They are necessary, but can be very annoying. I don’t know of a single entrepreneur, creative artist, pastor, author, business leader, or politician that hasn’t wanted to virtually punch their critics.

Or then again, maybe I’m the only one.

I say critics are necessary because critics can keep us in check, they can make us think, and even offer some wisdom from time to time. That’s a good thing for us. However, many critics don’t see the full vision. They only see what is on the stage in front of them.

In the next month I’m planning to launch a new business venture I’m excited about. Any time I begin to launch a new product and / or book I have this little voice in my head whispering: “What are the complainers going to cry about this time?”

We’ve heard people say that there are three types of criticism.

1. Constructive
2. Destructive
3. Self

However, I believe it’s a little deeper. For example in the next month or two when I launch my new business and set the vision for it, I know I will most likely encounter FIVE different critics.

1. The Suggestive Critic: These are the people that buy into what you are doing. They love what you create and want to be a part of it. They offer hints, ideas, and input in order to see what you are doing grow, We love these people. They are fans. They are loyal. They are your tribe. This is who you strive to make happy.
2. The Coach Critic: These are the mentors, coaches, and peers who you respect. They may not be loyal fans, but they want to see you win and hope to support you. Their criticism is one that flows from the heart and a love for the business you are in. Again, we like these people. “Most” of the time they are right.
3. The Fraud Critic: These are the critics that don’t like you or what you are doing because you don’t see things eye to eye with them. Maybe you have a different set of moral principles, or your political / faith beliefs don’t match up. To them you are a fraud to be avoided at all cost. These are the ones that will say you are profiting off your faith, belief, a situation, etc. They will say they can’t support you because your idea doesn’t match up with their personal convictions. Be polite to them and let them move on. They normally just want to get something off their chest.
4. The Jealous critic: These are the ones that normally want to bring you down because they are jealous of your success. These people aren’t your problem, and you aren’t theirs. Their problem is with themselves. We like them. But sometimes we find ourselves wanting to grab hold of them and scream: “Stop listening to the bad voices in your head.” These are the voices that beat them down. We don’t want to make these people mad. We want to encourage them. But most of the time their input is irrelevant.
5. The Angry Critic: This is the critic that wants to see you fail. They aren’t jealous, they just want to find something or someone to be mad at. Their anger is normally something deeper. We want to cut these people out. Harsh, I know. (And I’m sure this will be the one point people disagree with me on). But hear me out because what I mean is to cut their voices out. These are the people we don’t need to ever listen to, or to be a part of our lives. Be polite to them, but don’t humor or engage them. Simply smile and say thank you. Maybe even say a prayer for them.

I try to be very calculated with my criticism. Unless asked, I usually keep my feelings on an issue, book, vision, show, company, etc. to myself. Maybe that’s a flaw? I don’t know. But my spiritual gift is encouragement and mercy and I love to see people win and find success.

No doubt when I launch things in the next few weeks I’ll encounter some of these.

What say you? What type of critics have you encountered?