Sarah Liegmann – From the Ring Corner: Criticism Helps You Grow

Before I get started, I’m really glad you’re here to read my column. It’s going to be chaotic, funny, but mainly 100 percent real. I’ll be sharing lots of anecdotes and experiences from the world of boxing, but also giving you some exciting insights into my everyday madness. And now it’s time to clear the ring!

Yesterday, my coach, John David Jackson, asked me something that actually made me think for a while: “Which would you prefer? Someone like me, who always tells you honestly what he sees, even if it’s hard to hear sometimes? Or someone who mainly highlights the good things?” My answer to that is actually pretty clear: I want the truth.

Of course, no one likes to hear that something wasn’t good. Especially as a competitive athlete, you put an incredible amount of time, energy, and passion into what you do. You train every day, give up a lot of things, and naturally want to hear in the end that all that hard work is paying off. Hearing “That was really good” always feels better than “We’ll have to work on that more in the future.” But for me, this is exactly where the difference lies between someone who makes you feel good and someone who truly wants to help you improve.

Honest, but not disrespectful

A good coach doesn’t have to be nice all the time or be our friend. He has to be honest and push us to our limits to bring out the best in us. That doesn’t mean being disrespectful, hurtful, or constantly negative. Nor does it mean that praise isn’t important. On the contrary: Good performances should be recognized and acknowledged. But praise loses its value when it’s given regardless of how the performance actually went.

In boxing, in particular, false praise can actually be dangerous. If I think my defense is good when it isn’t, my opponent will show me that it isn’t—if not sooner, then certainly later. If my footwork isn’t right, my distance is off, or I make tactical mistakes, I’d rather find that out in the gym than in a fight.

There are days when my coach tells me after a session that something went really well. And there are days when I think to myself that the workout actually went pretty well—and then he gives a completely different assessment. That’s not always pleasant. Sometimes you go home and keep thinking about it for hours. But it’s precisely these moments that often help you grow and serve as an important source of motivation.

Trust as a Foundation

After all, growth rarely happens when people merely reinforce what you’re already good at. Growth usually happens when someone takes a close look and shows you what you might not yet be ready to see in yourself. Trust plays an enormous role in this. Criticism only works when you know the intention behind it. If I trust my coach, I know this: He isn’t criticizing me to put me down. He’s criticizing me because he believes I can do better.

That changes the entire meaning of a statement. “That wasn’t good” doesn’t mean, “You’re not good.” It means, “There’s more potential here.” And for me, that’s precisely one of the most important qualities of a good coach: He doesn’t just see where you are right now. He also sees where you could be. And he’s willing to tell you honestly what’s still missing between those two points.

Of course, everyone has different needs. Some athletes need more encouragement, while others handle direct criticism very well. A good coach should therefore also know how to communicate with each individual athlete. But regardless of the communication style, one thing should always remain the same: honesty. Because a coach who only tells me what I want to hear may protect my feelings in the short term. A coach who tells me what I need to hear protects my long-term development.

And if I had to choose between the two, I would always choose the coach who is honest with me. Even if I don’t always like his answer. Maybe especially then.