Not every criticism is a verdict

There was a point in my career where I received some feedback that nearly derailed my confidence. Someone in a leadership position described me as "not strategic.” And it wasn't just a passing comment. It was documented feedback that felt very official.

It hit me hard. 

Not because I believe I don't need constructive criticism, but because strategy had been one of the cornerstones of my career from the very beginning. I had navigated a highly competitive job market after graduating college, weathered economic downturns, adapted to changing industries (hello, Gen X here 🙋🏽‍♀️), and maintained a successful career through seasons (read 2020-2021 😷) of uncertainty. From my perspective, none of that happens without strategic thinking. 

So, this feedback didn't feel very much like a gift at all. I wrestled with it. I doubted myself. I struggled, y'all. I let those words take up far more space in my head than they deserved. 

Looking back, I now realize, not every criticism is a verdict. Sometimes it's an invitation. And the fire it fueled gave me the strength to make a career pivot like I'd never done before. It's what has propelled me to build my business, Authentic Impressions, where the daily realities of entrepreneurship only allow space for strategic thinking. 

At some point, I stopped viewing those misguided words as a limitation and started treating them as a challenge. And there's a difference.

A limitation says: This is who you are. 
A challenge says: This is where you can grow. 

One closes the door, and the other opens it. Words have power, and as someone who has built a career around communication, I believe that deeply. I get to decide which words I carry forward. 

The healthiest response to criticism isn't revenge, or keeping score, or waiting for the perfect time to deliver that “I told you so." It's growth, strength, and perseverance. And sometimes the most satisfying response isn't showing someone they were all wrong. It's proving yourself right. And that's the energy I'm bringing into each day forward.