I read this today over at Seth Godin's blog and thought I'd post it here as well.
"Lots of things about work are hard. Dealing with trolls is one of them. Trolls are critics who gain perverse pleasure in relentlessly tearing you and your ideas down. Here's the thing(s):
1. trolls will always be trolling
2. critics rarely create
3. they live in a tiny echo chamber, ignored by everyone except the trolled and the other trolls
4. professionals (that's you) get paid to ignore them. It's part of your job.
"Can't please everyone," isn't just an aphorism, it's the secret of being remarkable."
I think the key is to identify those whose criticism is actually constructive and worthwhile and then applying their insight. It is also crucial to identify the critics that are simply trolls. Mr Godin has given some insight into identifying them: 1. this is their "M.O." 2. they rarely create and 3. others recognize their 'trollness'.
What are some other tell tale signs you are dealing with a troll?
How I loathe trolls! I think another sign you are dealing with a troll instead of constructive criticism is when 100% of the feedback is negative.
ReplyDeleteAnd to add onto #2 (rarely create); when they do create its usually a stolen idea that was never used before because they so strongly discouraged the original creator . . . not that I'm bitter or have experienced any of this myself or anything . . .
;o)
Trolls really can't deal with it when you barely suggest that you are going to criticise them back.
ReplyDeleteBut I just couldn't get any joy out of seeing them squirm, or hush up!!!!!!!! Well.... maybe just a little
HA HA, TROLLS, THATS FUNNY, I have a different name for them. But I will keep that to myself. =)
ReplyDelete