How to Deal with Haters (Like a Real Boss)

 

Pocholo De Leon Gonzales, Episode 6 of The Pochology

Let’s be real for a second—no matter how kind, talented, or well-meaning you are, someone out there will always have something to say. Maybe they’ll call you too ambitious. Maybe they’ll say you’re arrogant, fake, or not even that good at what you do. Sounds familiar?

Yeah. That’s life. And that’s exactly what Pocholo Gonzales—aka The VoiceMaster of the Philippines—talks about in his powerful, no-BS episode of The Pochology: “How to Deal with Haters.”

“People hate you because they ain't you.”

Let that sink in.

According to Pocholo, this is the first golden rule when dealing with haters. Often, people throw shade not because there’s something wrong with you, but because there’s something missing in them. Maybe it’s envy. Maybe they wish they had your guts, your drive, or your success.

You shine too bright? They’ll say you’re arrogant. You stay humble? They’ll say you’re boring. Either way, you’re still getting judged. So why stress over it?

It’s not about you. It’s about them.

Most of the time, haters don’t even know you personally. They might have heard gossip. Or they’ve seen you succeed in a way that triggers something in them. And sadly, sometimes the harshest words come from people you once helped, people you trusted, or even people who smiled right to your face. Yup—those hurt the most.

But as Pocholo reminds us, “their opinion is not your reality.” If they’re spreading hate, that says more about them than it does about you.

Stick to your “why.”

Here’s where it gets deep.

You have dreams. Goals. A purpose. And when you’re living in alignment with that, there’s no time to waste on petty distractions. Like haters.

Pocholo himself could’ve easily walked away from his mission. When he was starting out in the voice acting world, the veterans said he wasn’t good enough. Later, when he started the first-ever voice acting school in the Philippines, people laughed. “Who does he think he is?” they said.

But guess what? He didn’t let that noise stop him. He stayed true to his why—to make the Philippines the hub of voice over excellence in Asia. And now? He’s got awards, speaking gigs, and more influence than those critics ever imagined.

And the best advice of all? Do more of what they hate.

Let that marinate for a second.

Whatever it is you’re doing that’s making the haters uncomfortable? Double down on it.

They're already talking? Give them something to talk more about.

While they’re busy throwing shade, you’re out here building dreams, making moves, and creating impact. As Pocholo puts it, “a thousand curses never tore a shirt. But a thousand praises can create a new world.” Powerful stuff.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve got haters, that probably means you’re doing something right. You’re creating change. You’re challenging the status quo. And yes—when you create change, you’re bound to make a few enemies. But even better? You’re also paving the way for greatness.

So the next time someone tries to tear you down, just smile. Keep doing you. And as Pocholo says, “do great, and be great.”