Lloyd George Gordon on Choosing Action Over Criticism on LinkedIn

In a recent LinkedIn post, Lloyd George Gordon offers a compelling visual metaphor to explore the choices individuals make in their engagement with the world, particularly in professional contexts. Gordon uses the image of five doors—criticise, gossip, getting involved, encouragement, and help—to illustrate differing levels of personal investment and impact.

He highlights how the majority of people tend to congregate at the doors marked ‘criticise’ and ‘gossip’. Gordon observes:

“Most people spend their lives waiting outside the doors marked criticise and gossip. They’re busy. Always crowded. Plenty of company. It feels safe there. You take no responsibility, no risk, no ownership.”

This tendency, according to Gordon, stems from the perceived safety and lack of accountability associated with these passive behaviors. He contrasts this with the significantly smaller groups choosing to ‘get involved’ or offer ‘encouragement’, and notes the stark solitude of the ‘help’ door.

The Effort Behind Impactful Choices

Gordon argues that the scarcity of individuals at the ‘help’ door is not accidental, but a direct result of the effort, humility, and commitment required. He elaborates on the prerequisites for choosing these more impactful doors:

“Helping requires #effort. Encouraging requires humility. Getting involved requires skin in the game. Criticising from the outside is easy.”

As Lloyd George Gordon points out, the act of building, leading, or innovating inherently invites criticism, especially from those who have not themselves ventured through any of the doors representing active participation. He frames this external commentary as noise from the crowded queues, distinct from the genuine impact generated in the quieter rooms of action.

Distinguishing Commentary from Contribution

A central theme in Gordon’s post is the fundamental difference between passive observation and active contribution. He posits that while commentary might be abundant, it is the act of helping and building that truly moves the world forward.

According to Lloyd George Gordon, leaders and creators should not be deterred by criticism, as it often originates from those who are not actively engaged in similar pursuits. He suggests:

“The noise usually comes from the longest queues. The impact comes from the quietest rooms.”

Gordon encourages readers to be mindful of their own choices, asserting that the ‘door’ one chooses to stand before reveals more about their character than their judgment of others.

Choosing Your Path

In conclusion, Lloyd George Gordon’s LinkedIn post serves as a call to action, urging individuals to reflect on their engagement and to prioritize active participation, encouragement, and help over passive criticism and gossip. He emphasizes that progress is driven by those willing to step through the doors of involvement and assistance, rather than those merely observing from the sidelines.