Honor the Messenger: Why Shooting the Messenger Only Delays Progress
In today’s world, criticism is an integral part of our daily lives. From feedback at work to social media, we all receive criticism in one form or another. However, there is one form of criticism that often leads to delays in progress – shooting the messenger. This phrase refers to the tendency to blame the person who delivers bad news rather than focusing on the problem at hand. In this article, we will explore why honoring the messenger is essential for progress, how the act of shooting the messenger only leads to delays in progress, and how we can cultivate a culture of accepting feedback without any negativity towards the messenger.
The Importance of Honoring the Messenger
The messenger is not the problem; they are just delivering the message. Often, the messenger has no control over the situation they are reporting on, and they may not even agree with the message themselves. Thus, honoring the messenger is essential because they have a responsibility to report issues that need attention. Recognizing and respecting the messenger’s role in delivering news can help create a culture that is open and receptive to feedback.
At times, the messenger is also a whistleblower who chooses to bring issues to the forefront that would have remained hidden otherwise. In such situations, the messenger is performing a public service by shining light on an issue, which might otherwise result in public harm. Honoring the messenger in such cases becomes even more critical as they often face serious retaliation for speaking out against the status quo.
Shooting the Messenger Leads to Delayed Progress
Shooting the messenger only leads to delays in progress. Often, when someone brings a problem to light, the initial reaction is to shoot the messenger rather than focus on the actual issue. This can occur due to fear of change, institutional apathy, or a resistance to accept that something may be wrong with the current situation.
However, when the messenger is blamed for the problem, it creates an environment where people are discouraged from speaking out in the future. Consequently, not only does the initial issue remain unaddressed, but future problems are also likely to go unnoticed and unaddressed as well. A culture of shooting the messenger thus undermines progress in an organization, making it less efficient, less productive, and less competitive.
Accountability vs. Blame
It’s essential to distinguish between accountability and blame when it comes to feedback and criticism. Accountability is about taking ownership of the situation and working to address the issue at hand, while blame is all about finding a scapegoat to offload responsibility onto.
When someone reports a problem, the initial reaction may be to look for someone to blame rather than taking accountability. This approach is counterproductive as it does not focus on addressing the issue at hand but rather on finding someone to point fingers at. Instead, we must focus on taking accountability for the issue and working to resolve it collaboratively.
Creating a Culture of Accepting Feedback
Creating a culture of accepting feedback is essential to honor the messenger and foster progress. However, this is easier said than done. A culture that values open communication and feedback requires leadership to set the tone by demonstrating the importance of feedback.
Leaders must create an environment in which everyone feels comfortable providing feedback, and everyone learns to receive feedback with an open mind. Some strategies that can help create such an environment include:
- Encouraging open and honest feedback.
- Acknowledging feedback and taking it seriously.
- Recognizing the messenger for reporting the issue, irrespective of whether they have solved the problem or not.
- Providing positive feedback about the messenger for bringing the issue to light, irrespective of the outcome.
- Providing training and resources for addressing feedback and criticism collaboratively.
Conclusion
Honoring the messenger is essential to progress and success, whether it’s in our personal lives or at work. Shooting the messenger only delays progress and does not serve any constructive purpose. However, this is easier said than done, as it requires effort and commitment from all involved.
Creating a culture that values feedback and communication requires leadership to set the tone, encourage feedback, and hold accountability. By doing so, organizations can create a culture that is open, responsive, and collaborative, leading to better outcomes, such as increased productivity, innovation, and success. So, let’s honor the messenger, acknowledge their efforts, and work together towards progress.