The Truth Doesn't Have to Hurt

Introduction

The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism.¹

—NORMAN VINCENT PEALE

Standing 10 meters above the earth, balancing on the edge of a diving platform, I would listen to my coach yelling corrective instructions about what I needed to do to make my next dive better. Most people would consider his harsh admonishments mixed with encouragement as criticism, but for me, it was direction, instruction, and insight. Through training and a plentiful amount of no-holds-barred criticism from him, I was able to exceed even my own expectations as a diver. Because I accepted his criticisms as helpful, I eventually became ranked among the top ten women divers in the United States. Unfortunately, ...