How to Turn Your Biggest Critic Into Your Biggest Fan

Years ago, I stepped into a role that was NOT set up in my favor. I was following a leader who had been there for years and was dearly loved by his team. My job was to take over for him, not mess up the great results he’d achieved, and take the team to the next level. I wasn’t a new leader. I was confident I could get results. I was excited and ready to get to work.

Then, I met the team.

This team was loyal to my predecessor. Almost to a fault. Many of them couldn’t imagine liking or following another leader the way they followed him. Add in my quiet, reserved personality, and I had an uphill battle.

One person in particular was the team’s vocal leader – the person everyone followed. In the gap between my predecessor leaving and me arriving, she had taken the reins and her influence had grown. And, she was NOT my biggest fan. In fact, she was my biggest critic. She didn’t like me, and she didn’t keep it a secret. She was openly skeptical of my leadership and told others I wouldn’t last. As you can imagine, figuring this out was key to my success.

And, I did figure it out. Within a few months, she began to move from my biggest critic to my biggest fan. It was a beautiful thing to watch, and it helped me lead that team in ways I never would have imagined. Here’s how I did it:

6 Ways to Win Over a Critic on Your Team

1. I found ways to compliment her work.

She was a great employee and a great leader. Knowing I needed to win her over, I looked for sincere ways to compliment the job she was doing. It showed her I was on her team.

2. I found ways to support her.

I gave her tools and resources she never had before. Because I truly cared about her success, it was easy to resource her and support her ideas and initiatives.

3. I included her.

She was part of my inner circle. I met with her regularly and asked for her input on major decisions. I never made her feel like an outsider.

4. I didn’t give her reasons to criticize me.

I didn’t take the bait when there were chances to battle her or stoop to her level. I never got personal, and I kept a level head when I had to address her shortcomings.

5. I stayed consistent and true to myself.

I didn’t change the way I led because of the pushback. I was me. I led the same way I would have if this dynamic didn’t exist.

6. I got results.

At the end of the day, success left her with nothing to criticize. Once I showed her that I knew what I was talking about and had the skills to take the team to the next level, there wasn’t much negative left to say.

She and I don’t work together anymore, but we’re still friends. She’s still, in many ways, a cheerleader of mine. And, I can say that today because of these intentional steps.

Have you ever led (or worked for) someone who was a critic of yours? How did you handle it? Comment below and let me know! (And if criticism is getting to you, read how to handle criticism as a leader.)