Responding to Online Criticism

Insults hurt. Unless ... you know how to handle them. Your response changes everything. Picture this: You're presenting. Someone interrupts, "That's not realistic." Your face burns. Heart races. Everyone stares. The real power isn't in the insult. It's in the gap between feeling and responding. Master it, and you'll master any situation. Here are 8 powerful ways to turn insults into opportunities: 1. Ask Better Questions 💬 "They just called my idea stupid in front of everyone!" ➟ Pause, then ask "Could you help me understand why?" ➟ Let them explain their perspective fully ➟ Watch as defensiveness melts away 💡 Questions shift pressure back to the critic, making them reflect Try: Practice saying "Tell me more about that" in a mirror tonight 2. Rewrite Your Story 💬 "They must think I'm totally incompetent" ➟ Replace "They hate me" with "They might be stressed" ➟ Focus on facts, not assumptions ➟ Remember: It's rarely personal 💡 Our interpretation of events shapes our emotional response Try: Write down one negative thought and its positive alternative 3. Use Smart Humor 💬 "Someone mocked my presentation style" ➟ Respond with light self-deprecating humor ➟ Keep it gentle, never biting ➟ Smile genuinely while delivering 💡 Humor signals confidence and reduces tension instantly Try: Think of one friendly comeback for common criticism 4. Practice SOBER Response 💬 "I react too quickly when insulted" ➟ Stop ➟ Observe your body ➟ Breathe deeply ➟ Expand awareness ➟ Respond thoughtfully 💡 This method gives your rational brain time to catch up Try: Take three deep breaths before responding next time 5. Speak Diplomatically 💬 "I never know how to address disrespect" ➟ Describe the situation factually ➟ Express feelings calmly ➟ Assert needs clearly 💡 Structure provides confidence in tense moments Try: Write down one situation using this format 6. Create Mental Distance 💬 "Insults feel too personal" ➟ Imagine putting the insult in a "Not Personal" bucket ➟ Watch it dissolve ➟ Respond from clarity 💡 Physical visualization reduces emotional reactivity Try: Draw your "Not Personal" bucket and keep it visible 7. Prepare Your Blueprint 💬 "I freeze when criticized" ➟ Have two ready responses: - "Interesting point, tell me more" - "I see it differently because..." ➟ Practice them regularly 💡 Preparation eliminates panic in tough moments Try: Memorize one go-to response today 8. Welcome Challenges 💬 "I dread difficult interactions" ➟ See each insult as growth opportunity ➟ Think: "Great, I can practice staying calm" ➟ Focus on your response, not their words 💡 Mindset shifts transform threats into opportunities Try: Say "This is my chance to grow" next time you're challenged Insults are temporary. Your response is permanent. Which technique will you practice today? ♻️ Repost if this resonated with you! 🔖 Follow me Suren Samarchyan for more.

"Amir, I just can't handle it. It makes me not want to go on - on social media or in life." "Amir, it made me feel like I was so small, a nobody." "Amir, it makes me not want to ever express my creativity again." "Amir, I'm so far behind other people. No one cares what I have to say." "Amir, I feel like every time I type or say anything, I have a target on my back." "Amir, I will always be at a disadvantage because of my gender/race/sexual orientation." Friends, your trust within the games community means the world. Daily, I receive your tens to hundreds of messages detailing struggles with personal and organizational challenges, career difficulties, and the harsh realities of social media. These discussions weigh heavily on me, reflecting wider issues within our LinkedIn conversations. These are not isolated feelings but indicators of a pervasive problem. If such conversations are not on your radar at this moment for the games industry, I encourage you to deepen your connections and trust to uncover these authentic concerns. In my four decades, the current level of stress, confusion, and self-doubt among my peers is unprecedented from what I have seen among any group I've interacted with. Comprehensively tackling these issues is beyond the scope of not just one, but many posts. Today, though, I want to address one topic I have received the most notes about in the last two weeks and aim to offer strategies for navigating the toxicity of social media in today's climate. Here's my approach: 1. I post as if I'm speaking only to my spouse and close friends. This mindset fosters authenticity and eases my concern about others' perceptions. 2. I maintain kindness but don't mistake it for weakness. I block anyone who's passive-aggressive, rude, inappropriate, or exclusionary without hesitation. 3. I value opinions only from those whose views I respect. Why should a stranger's rudeness matter to me? 4. I recognize that negative comments often reflect the commenter's issues, not my own. Envy is a common motivator behind such remarks. 5. I remind myself that online anonymity emboldens trolls. Imagining them trying to confront me face-to-face puts things into perspective. 6. I recommend LinkedIn for its professional environment, which, despite flaws, tends to be safer than other platforms. 7. Joining a supportive community offers a network of allies ready to defend you. 8. Pleasing everyone is impossible. Accept it and move on. 9. Recognize that some social media users have ulterior motives, driven by the desire for attention or controversy. 10. Social media is for fun. If you are comparing yourself to others or getting competitive, it becomes a second job, and you should stop or take a break. I'm far from perfect myself, but following 1-10 helps me get as close to 100% in ignoring toxic garbage and in avoiding self-doubt as possible. Thanks again for your trust. I will keep coming back with more advice, one topic at a time.

Is Criticism Slowing You Down or Making You Stronger? As professionals, entrepreneurs, and business leaders, we all face criticism. Clients, investors, teams, competitors—everyone has an opinion. Some feedback is constructive, helping us grow, while some is baseless and demotivating. The real challenge is learning to separate the two and using criticism to fuel success. Early in my career, I took every criticism personally. It felt like an attack. But over time, I realized that the most successful people don’t run from criticism—they master the art of handling it. They don’t react emotionally; they listen, analyze, and use it to refine their business strategies and leadership skills. ✔ Stay Open-Minded – Every critique carries a lesson. Listen with curiosity, not ego. ✔ Detach Emotionally – Criticism is about your work, not your worth. Separate the two. ✔ Consider the Source – Not all feedback is equal. Filter noise and focus on insights. ✔ Pause and Reflect – Don’t react in the moment. Think before you respond. ✔ Stay Calm – In business, composure is power. Emotional reactions weaken credibility. ✔ Empathize – Understand where the critic is coming from. Perspective matters. ✔ Look for Patterns – Repeated feedback? It’s a signal for growth, not an attack. ✔ Practice Self-Compassion – No one builds an empire without making mistakes. Learn and move forward. ✔ Learn from Mistakes – Failure and feedback shape the best entrepreneurs. ✔ Turn Negativity into Power – Let criticism drive your determination, not your doubts. "In business, the loudest voices don’t always matter. The smartest responses do." The next time you face criticism, pause, analyze, and use it to your advantage. Every great business leader turns setbacks into stepping stones. Make criticism work for you, not against you. #criticism #mindset #leadershipskills #learning #motivational #AbhishekVyas

Ever felt like quitting LinkedIn right after seeing a rude comment? It’s tough when you realize that being visible also draws critics, even trolls. I’ve been there, and here’s what I’ve learned about dealing with negativity without losing my cool or damaging my credibility. 1) Separate Emotion from Intent Not all criticism is bad. Sometimes, it’s feedback that can help you grow. If it’s constructive, thank the person and see what you can improve. If it’s pure negativity, don’t let it rent space in your head. 2) Pick Your Battles When you’re tagged in something controversial or completely irrelevant, pause before you respond. Ask yourself: Does replying help my personal brand or hurt it? Sometimes, the best response is no response at all. 3) Set Boundaries If someone repeatedly tags you in off-topic posts or keeps leaving harmful comments, it’s okay to tell them to stop. And if they don’t listen, remember you can block or report them. Your mental well-being and professional image matter. 4) Stay Professional No matter how harsh the words, keeping your response calm and polite protects your reputation. Take a breath, think it through, and if you decide to reply, do it carefully. 5) Focus on Your Supporters For every negative voice, there are usually many who genuinely appreciate what you share. Spend your time interacting with those positive people instead. Criticism is part of growing a presence online. The bigger your platform, the louder the noise may become. Learn what you can, leave the rest, and keep moving forward. How do you handle negativity on LinkedIn? Let me know in the comments!

Turning Criticism into Fuel: How to Thrive in the Face of Doubt Criticism might sting at first, but it can also serve as the rocket fuel you need to launch yourself toward your goals. Instead of viewing negative comments as a roadblock, think of them as a chance to prove yourself, learn, and grow. Here’s how: Embrace the “Ouch” Moment Ever hit your funny bone? It hurts, but you usually walk away just fine. Criticism can feel like that—painful, but ultimately survivable. Acknowledge the sting, take a deep breath, and remind yourself that criticism isn’t a life sentence. It’s feedback. Decode the Message Sometimes, criticism hides valuable insights. Maybe your presentation was too long, or you forgot to consider a key detail. Listen for the gems that will help you improve. If you can learn something from it—even if it was delivered rudely—you come out ahead. Separate Fact from Feelings Negative feedback can trigger emotional fireworks. Before you blow up in frustration, ask, “Is there merit in what they’re saying?” You can’t control everyone else’s tone, but you can control how you respond. Sort out the useful critiques from the unhelpful snark. Use It as Motivation Picture every piece of criticism as a tiny booster pack for your ambition. If someone doubts your ability, prove them wrong by channeling that energy into action. You’ll feel extra proud knowing you turned a negative comment into forward momentum. Build a Support Squad Share any particularly harsh feedback with friends or mentors who can offer perspective. They’ll remind you of your strengths, help you process the criticism, and keep you from dwelling on any over-the-top negativity. Celebrate Small Wins Criticism can feel like a giant arrow pointing at all your flaws. Combat the negativity by celebrating the smaller achievements you accomplish every day. Keeping track of your wins—no matter how small—helps you realize how far you’ve come. Grow Your Resilience Muscles Every time you bounce back from a harsh critique, you’re flexing your resilience muscles. Over time, you’ll notice that criticism becomes less intimidating. Soon, you’ll see it for what it truly is: an opportunity to get better. Remember: Criticism can either leave you feeling defeated or spark the fire that propels you forward. The choice is all yours. Next time doubt comes your way, turn that negative energy into a reason to shine even brighter! Wings of Wisdom Transitional Wellness Intuitive

“Matching someone’s energy online almost cost me my own.” Some time ago, I got into it with someone on social media. They had a negative (and honestly disrespectful) response to my statement: “We can vehemently disagree with someone’s ideology, and still passionately pursue their humanity.” And what did I do? I matched their energy. I fired back. I argued. And instantly…I regretted it. In I Respectfully Disagree, I share why social media is one of the worst places for disagreements. Research shows that about two-thirds of online misunderstandings come from misinterpreted tone—we read in sarcasm, rudeness, or offense that may not even exist. And when negativity is present? Another study found that anger spreads faster online than joy, especially among strangers. When I “matched their energy,” I wasn’t just arguing—I was fueling a wildfire others could easily catch. What I’ve learned since: 1. Don’t argue on social media. It almost never leads to understanding. 2. If you want dialogue, move it to Direct Messages. If they decline, they probably weren’t after dialogue—they wanted an audience. 3. Boundaries ≠ barriers. Blocking is okay, but I now leave a way back: “If you ever want a genuine conversation, I’m open.” That’s a boundary, not a barrier. I’m not perfect. But I am making progress in how I respond to others. So I implore you: don’t match energy—plant seeds of kindness. Even if they never grow, you’ll know you sowed something good. …because failure isn’t final, it’s the fuel we need for future growth. #FailureFriday #LeadershipDevelopment #RespectfulDisagreement #VulnerabilityInLeadership #ProgressNotPerfection

The Power of "Really? How…" When faced with unfair criticism or feeling under attack, our instinct is often to defend, explain, or even counterattack. But I've discovered a surprisingly effective two-word response: "Really? How…" 🌟 Here's how it played out for me: I shared a LinkedIn post in a WhatsApp group, aiming to provide value to the members. However, one member accused me of self-promotion and suggested I shouldn't post in the group. Instead of defending myself, I replied, "Really? How…" and moved on. To my surprise, other group members came to my defense, clarifying the situation and supporting my intent. I didn't need to say another word. 📣 This experience taught me that sometimes, the best response is to let others voice their opinions while you stay calm. When you feel unfairly criticized, try your version of "Really? How…". Let the situation unfold, and you might find it resolves itself better than any defense or counterattack could. 💬✨ #ConflictResolution #Leadership #SalesStrategy #ProfessionalGrowth