The Value of Keeping Quiet

“So…what do you think of ________’s playing / work / attitude?”

If you’re an artist and someone has asked you this question, you’ve felt the pressure of deciding how to respond.

How do you share your honest feedback without intentionally damaging another creator's reputation?

As working artists, our careers depend on being authentic and honest. If we aren’t able to distinguish good artists from bad ones, it can reflect poorly on our professional reputation. But it’s also dangerous to talk negatively about other creators. Doing so can make us look pompous, unkind or petty.

Worse, it can lead to awkward moments when we have to work with those same people after we’ve given a negative review to our peers.

My good friend and guest from episode 35, vocalist Jazmin Crumley, hit on this topic with passion in a recent Instagram post. She's worked with the biggest names in R&B, gospel and beyond as a background vocalist and contractor, so she knows what she's talking about.

NOTE: I'll be sharing more about the need for trust, discretion, and integrity as faith-focused creators in our Creator Checkup livestream on Friday. I'd love for you to join us!

Here's how I've approached this issue.

Whether your opinion is valid or not, it’s always best to let the questioner decide for themselves. Responses such as these can help you avoid awkward situations, while protecting your own judgment.

“I’m honestly not the expert. Check them out and see what you think.”

“Her approach is different, but you should decide for yourself.”

“I’m still considering that. If I get a chance to talk with them, I’ll let you know.”

Of course, you also want to be honest when someone is seeking more information about a fellow artist. The key is this: only mention things that you would be comfortable telling that artist directly. If you wouldn’t address their weaknesses personally, don’t address them off the stage.

Author Stephen Covey once gave this advice about talking about others in his famous book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People - “Be loyal to those who are absent.”

Our moms and grandmas might have said it this way: “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”

Wise words that still apply.

Creator Community Spotlight

We're happy to welcome Wendy Coop to the God and Gigs 360 Community!

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Wendy gave us an incredibly helpful Bible Study workshop in January and her training is still available for everyone who subscribes to the Creator Resource Center.

Want to join her in the app and our fantastic community of creators who are moving from isolated and frustrated careers to connected, confident creator lifestyles? This is a great time to join!

Wendy Coop View Profile

This Week On The Podcast

One Good Thing About Bad Bunny After the huge controversy over the Super Bowl Halftime Show, we took a moment to consider the one lesson every faith-focused creator can learn from the performance's aftermath. Watch and Listen Here

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