Advice: Focus on Common Ground

critiques are a touchy subject for most clients. in marketing, we’re also taught that differences are what is most compelling. well, not always. i provided a critique to a young recording artist this week who writes christian rap. while i find his music promising (and the lyrics are less-traveled material), his response to my professional opinion(s) was not optimal. he’s caught up in the fact that i don’t praise jesus as he does at every turn, or refer to jesus in any way in my critique. here is what i shared with my client: I think my opinions are even more valuable to you because we don’t share the same world view. not everyone you come across will believe as you do. the world is both large and small – if you know what I mean. the internet has connected us all and it is up to us to communicate in a manner that underlines common ground or differences. the result is not the same with both approaches. when you’re in front of a sympathetic audience, then treat accordingly. when you’re not – consider how others may perceive you and what is a very personal subject matter. you can’t force it on others and you could potentially achieve the opposite of your intentions. you could isolate folks from what you’d like them to consider and/or embrace.