Brain Snacks 025: Enter the coach

(A bit longer post today due to yesterday’s feedback and reactions.)

Isn’t there value in the critic, the one who offers an honest opinion and appraisal of a work of art, an entree, or a performance?

Sure, but as a creator, you can’t simply read or hear the criticism and expect to be better.

You need a coach.

The coach bridges the worlds of critic and creator, picking apart an idea, result, or plan and then suggesting ways to make it better.

The jump shot is off, so here’s where your elbow should be. You can’t hit the high note; try these three vocal exercises. You’re not closing as many deals as you need to, therefore stop that sales strategy and try this new one.

The coach doesn’t stop with the critique. She pushes past it and creates ways to improve.

So, in sum: The critic removes value, the creator adds it, and the coach grows it.