I remember reading this quote from Seth Godin’s excellent book called Tribes
What people are afraid of isn’t failure. It’s blame. Criticism.
To be a leader in any sphere of life and work you will create a tribe, a group of followers and to lead well you are going to need to overcome your fear of criticism.
No one likes criticism, no one wants it but if you are to lead anything criticism will come.
So how do you overcome your fear of criticism? 
Great Question?
Perhaps this quote I heard some years ago will help.
You measure your ministry in the people who are with you – Gerald Coates
Seth Godin in his book would say it like this.
Great Leaders focus on the Tribe and only on the Tribe
In Other words – there’s a group of people who are with you and who are for you.
They want your success.
You matter to them.
They like you and they like your work.
Listen to them, their opinion matters.
So 1. Focus on your Tribe and 2. Focus on your Dream
Seth again:
Part of leadership (a big part of it, actually) is the ability to stick with the dream for a long time. Long enough that the critics realize that you’re going to get there one way or another… so they follow.
…or they move on
Keep going, believe in what you do, believe it everyday
Turns out it’s a great strategy.
Paul Benger 