Communication Quote by Martin Linsky
““You have probably been attacked in one form or another. Perhaps you’ve been criticized for your style of communication: too abrasive or too gentle, too aggressive or too quiet, too conflictive or too conciliatory, too cold or too warm. In any case, we doubt that anyone ever criticizes your character or your style when you’re giving them good news or passing out big checks. For the most part, people criticize you when they don’t like the message. But rather than focus on the content of your message, taking issue with its merits, they frequently find it more effective to discredit you. Of course, you may be giving them opportunities to do so; surely every one of us can continue to improve our style and our self-discipline. The point is not that you are blameless, but that the blame is largely misplaced in order to draw attention away from the message itself.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Leadership Development Talk, 2015
People often attack the messenger rather than the message, using criticism of style to distract from content.
In simple terms: Critics target how you say things, not what you say.
Key Takeaway
Focus on improving delivery, but recognize misplaced blame.
Themes
communication
criticism
perception
leadership
psychology
Mood
defensive
analytical
reflective
Type
advice
observational
motivational
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- public speaking
- media interviews
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
messenger effect
cognitive bias
defensiveness
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you separate valid feedback from diversionary attacks?
- What strategies protect your message’s integrity?
A Different Perspective
Criticism may also stem from genuine style issues, not just diversion.
