The answer lives in this podcast
How to Build Professional Courage When Fear of Criticism Holds You Back?
Criticism will come, often from unexpected places — even other women — but the answer is not to hold back. Instead, do it with the right people around you, and actively create space for other women rather than competing for perceived limited opportunities.
Recognizing the Scarcity Mindset Behind Criticism
Fear of criticism often stems from a misunderstanding of how professional space works. Many women operate from a scarcity mindset, believing there are only so many seats at the table, which drives competition and criticism instead of collaboration. When you put yourself out there, you may face pushback not only from men, but surprisingly from other women who see you as taking up space they believe is rightfully theirs.
This dynamic is worth understanding clearly: criticism isn't a signal to retreat. As Heather McDonnell-Alford explains in The Athena Rebels Podcast, the real issue is that people fighting from a place of scarcity believe there isn't enough room for everyone — but there is.
"When you speak about something personally online, share the scar, not the wound. If you're still in the trauma, it's the other side."
Heather McDonnell-Alford — Owner, Counting Creators. Heather McDonnell-Alford built Counting Creators, an MSP finance company covering outsourced finance functions from mailbox management to compliance work. She niched down into the MSP space within five months of starting her business and has spoken at major industry events including the MSP Show 2025, Pax8 Amsterdam, and IT Nation London, building her professional profile primarily through LinkedIn.
Creating Space Instead of Competing
The antidote to fear and criticism isn't thicker skin — it's action paired with generosity. Heather McDonnell-Alford's approach is concrete: if you admire a woman's work, introduce her to an opportunity. If you see a speaking slot, recommend someone else. This isn't sacrifice; it's the opposite of the scarcity mindset.
When you stop viewing professional growth as zero-sum, criticism loses its power over you. You're no longer defending a limited piece of turf; you're building something bigger, and this shift in perspective is explored in depth in the podcast episode. The women who thrive professionally are those who realize the table can expand.
Doing it "with the right people around you" means surrounding yourself with allies who understand this truth — people who will champion your visibility rather than police it, and who won't crumble when criticism arrives.
Key takeaways
- Criticism often comes from a scarcity mindset — the belief that there isn't enough professional space for everyone — not because you are doing something wrong.
- Surrounding yourself with the right people creates a buffer against criticism and provides genuine support for your professional growth.
- Creating space for other women through introductions and recommendations shifts the culture from competition to abundance, reducing the negative energy directed at anyone stepping forward.
- The fear of criticism shouldn't stop you from building your professional profile — it should clarify who you want in your corner.
See also
How does Heather McDonnell-Alford handle self-doubt and imposter syndrome as a business owner with ADHD?
Heather acknowledges that having ADHD comes with a very harsh inner voice and an extremely high level of self-expectation, which can lead to being very hard on herself and feeling like she is never good enough, no matter what she accomplishes.
What does Heather McDonnell-Alford mean by 'share the scar, not the wound' when posting personal content online?
Heather's principle is that you should only share personal or difficult experiences publicly once you have processed them fully and reached the other side — when you have perspective and healing, not when you are still in the trauma.
What is Heather McDonnell-Alford's advice for MSPs or professionals who want to start building a presence on LinkedIn?
Heather advises that you should never outsource your personal LinkedIn content because your brand is fundamentally you, and generic or AI-looking posts will not build authentic connection with your audience.