Written by: Vickie Sullivan  |  February 16, 2023

A Lesson from Springsteen on How to Respond to a True Accusation

Throughout the holidays, I raved about Howard Stern’s two-hour interview with Bruce Springsteen (available for streaming on HBO Max). Little did I know that The Boss would teach me a lesson on branding and how to handle criticism.

If you watch the interview, this juicy exchange takes place during the last 20 minutes of the interview. Stern asked Springsteen about a frequent criticism that Springsteen positions himself as a blue-collar “everyman” when his reality is just the opposite. Springsteen’s response not only stopped any negativity on the issue, but it also skyrocketed his credibility.

How Springsteen Responded to the Accusation

Let’s dissect Springsteen’s two-step response to this accusation so you can apply this killer technique.

1. He owned the facts. Yes, Springsteen’s upbringing was very different than the songs he sings. By agreeing to the accusation, you take the wind out of any attack. After all, how can you argue with someone who just agreed with you?
2. Springsteen explained that this direction was to honor his father’s rough background. To paraphrase: I want to represent him. His tug at the heartstrings shifted the focus from the artist to his inspiration. Now, anyone who accuses Springsteen of being phony looks like a jerk.

Listen: The Biggest Mistake People Make When Responding to an Accusation

A lot of us know how to deny a false accusation. When critiques have merit, however, you need to use a different playbook. Creating a heartfelt backstory or “why” explanation explores intent and focuses on the heart of the matter. It’s pretty tough to argue after that.

Now Read This:

• Why People Make Assumptions
• Let’s Talk About Your Success. You’ve Earned It!