When Michelangelo, the world renowned sculptor completed ‘David’, one of his marble masterpieces, a visitor came to see it. It was indeed a marvelous achievement!
But, when the visitor scrutinized the sculpture, he found that it had an imperfection. He said to the great sculptor: “The sculpture is definitely excellent, but I feel that its nose is a little bigger. Rectify this fault and it would be marvelous!”
Michelangelo had a closer look. Then he found an extra piece of marble clinging to the statue’s nose. That was the reason why the nose looked bigger.
With his hammer, he thrashed the extra marble piece and the sculpture looked great.
Then, the great sculptor said to the man, who pointed out his fault: “It was you who gave life to my sculpture. Thank you!”
Once they have reached great heights, many people think that they are immune to criticisms. They think that whatever they are doing is right and that no one has the right to criticize them. They are intolerable to anyone who criticize them. They will explode at those who point out their faults.
When the aforesaid event happened, Michelangelo was already a famous sculptor. Nonetheless, he was ready to admit his fault and was willing to rectify the mistake. Great people are like that. They are never intolerable towards criticisms.
Accept criticisms with an open mind. In fact, each criticism offers us a new lesson.
Only the narrow-minded people get upset when they are criticized. When you are criticized, examine whether there is any fact in that criticism. Accepting reasonable criticisms will help the growth of our personality. At the same time, ignore the malicious criticisms.
Make sure that your criticisms are constructive and not destructive. Do not criticize others out of inferiority complex and unwillingness to accept others.
Welcome good and constructive criticisms. Let this be our policy.
With best wishes,
Dr Antoney P Joseph
Managing Director
