Key Takeaways:Praise and criticism are the same things. Those are just other people's opinions of you. A whole person doesn't need praise to make themselves feel good and doesn't let criticism derail them.The internal defines the external, not the other way around. Don’t wait for someone else to define who you are and what you are, stand in your value and embrace your own worth. People will connect with that or fall away, and those that leave are not your people.Criticism can expose what I call our shadow self, those dark parts of ourselves that we don't like and that we want to stay hidden. When we can understand what they are and accept those and love those parts of ourselves, then they become neutralized.So very little of what people do has anything to do with us. Understanding that will set you free. Don’t take things personally. Praise and criticism are neutral opinions of other people that are a reflection of themselves. “Our ability to navigate praise and criticism is absolutely critical to us being able to have important conversations, move our missions, change the world, because if we're doing or saying something interesting, something important, something worthwhile, somebody is not going to like it. That is the price of doing business. ” “Stay in your sovereignty, stay in your value and your worth, in your leadership,  in your confidence, no matter who's saying what. That is the key.” “When we get to define our own self, that's when we become powerful.” “The more we can love all aspects of ourselves, the less power that criticism has.”- Maryanne Dersch  Ask for and receive all you want, need and deserve without feeling rejected, ineffective, or pushy. Learn to manage your mindset, lead yourself and others more effectively and have the meaningful conversations that drive your most important work.  Get your free starter kit today at www.theinfluentialnonprofit.com Book your quickie intro call with Maryanne here!  Connect with Maryanne Dersch: maryanne@courageouscommunication.com