Episode 2- Staying Secure When Criticism Comes

In this episode of The Practices of a Healthy Leader, Rick and Brad explore why criticism can feel so personal—especially in spiritual leadership, where leaders often offer their whole selves in service to others. They discuss how feedback can expose insecurity, trigger defensiveness, or gain too much power over a leader’s emotional life.

Rather than ignoring criticism or absorbing it as a verdict, healthy leaders learn to treat it as a data point and an invitation for growth. Rick and Brad offer practical wisdom for discerning what is true, what should be owned, and what should be released. They also introduce helpful practices like seeking trusted outside perspective, responding with curiosity, and using the “24-hour rule” before reacting to difficult feedback.

This conversation is an encouragement for any leader who has ever had their day wrecked by a critical email, text, or conversation—and wants to grow in security, humility, and resilience.