Improve Your Business By Being Open To Constructive Criticism
7:37 pm in Pyschology That Helps by seph
From time to time, all of us ask a pal or co-worker to check our work and to share their feedback with us. But often, we simply don’t want to hear what they have to share with us. We’ve got too much invested in it, and we don’t want to change. Is there a technique to open ourselves up to being more willing to depend on good counsel?
As you expand your field of vision by consulting with others, these three easy steps can certainly help you make better decisions, avoid mistakes in judgement, and overcome your own limited perspectives:
1) Quickly Check Your Motives
I run one of the top marketing firms in Atlanta, and after I have spent innumerable hours on a bid, report, or presentation, I sometimes ask someone I trust to “take a look at this and let me know I haven’t missed anything important.”
That’s what I say.
But truthfully, what I mean is: “take a glance at this and let me know I’ve done a good job.”
That’s a whole world of difference, isn’t it? In fairness to ourselves & others, it’s best to only ask an individual to invest the time offering their point of view when we’re sincerely open to their opinions.
2) Carefully Choose Your Counsel
Who should you turn to for a further point of view? Who can help you avoid major gaffes in judgement? Above all else , select counsel from people who understand your objectives & can offer feedback free of hidden motives.
You’ll likely have a good sense of where you need to fill in the gaps in your position. Is it with depth (an expert with significant experience), breadth (a generalist who can provide an overview from the 10,000-foot level), or consensus (strength in numbers)?
3) Know Yourself
Most of the time we spend gaining a further perspective helps us crystalize & explain our point-of-view. But what if you have received too much conflicting information & your mind is buzzing like a Vuvuzela horn?
As you comb through a decision, try utilising some variety of weighted average. Personally, I give extra stress to knowledge, experience, & any special “game-changing” discernment I have. Whenever it’s possible, give yourself time to look through multiple angles so you can successfully overcome a limited viewpoint.
These three tips, while very simple and unpretentious, can help you be more open to the sort of feedback that can move your business ahead. Remind yourself to leverage them in the days ahead- – you’ll discover your work improves considerably when you do.
Marie Elwood is an Atlanta marketing strategy consultant who works with many of the best branding companies in America.
