Written by: Vickie Sullivan | December 13, 2022
How to Counter Critics: Biden Administration Offers a Lesson
Wow! Such good news about Brittney Griner’s release from Russia.
In case you don’t know, Griner was jailed in Russia for carrying cannabis oil at a Moscow airport in February and was exchanged for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout on Thursday. While many cheer her release, others question why the Biden administration bargained for her freedom, while another high-profile hostage, former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan, continues to be wrongfully detained.
How the Biden administration handled the announcement provides a good lesson on how to position tough decisions.
How the Biden Administration Prepared for Criticism
Set politics aside for a moment and look at the techniques the Biden administration used to answer the “why not Paul Whelan” questions. Here’s the one-two approach that any of us can use:
First, they reframed the decision. Everyone knew the media would ask why Whelan wasn’t part of the deal. The Biden administration’s explanation focused on the effort and the hard decision. The strategy was straight from improv: “yes, and.” Yes, we couldn’t include Whelan, and it was heartbreaking. Yes, Whelan is still there, and our choice was one or none. People use the “yes, and” technique a lot, and here’s why: It works. We would do well to perfect this tactic.
Second, the key players were a united front. Both families were gracious in their response, which reduced the temperature significantly. This keeps pressure to get Whelan out without damaging Griner. So, before you make a big announcement, get the key stakeholders on the same page.
Listen: The Biggest Mistake in Taking Critics Head On
When you make the tough calls (or help your clients do that), you will always face criticism and push back. Explaining your decisions in a way that acknowledges the negative impact may not completely silence the critics, but it can blunt their impact.
Now Read This:
- How to Negate Critics without Ruining Your Brand
- Strategic Sounding Boards Give Real-World Advice for When the Rubber Meets the Road