What do you do if your entrepreneurial ego is getting in the way of receiving feedback?

Très difficile de mettre en sommeil des préjugés qui sont issus de sa propre culture, surtout lorsqu’ils ils accompagnent et s’adossent sur un pouvoir de décision.

Recognize the presence of ego-driven biases that may hinder your ability to accept feedback objectively. Acknowledging these biases is the first step towards overcoming them and fostering a more open mindset towards constructive criticism.

Don’t overcomplicate it. Feedback is data. Use the data you receive to make intelligent decisions about what to do next. Don’t change the data to make it say something it doesn’t.

Seek feedback from a diverse range of sources, including peers, mentors, and customers, to gain different perspectives. Embrace feedback from individuals with varying backgrounds and experiences, as they can offer valuable insights that challenge your assumptions and help you see things from different angles.

It's vital to consistently seek constructive input from a cross-section of stakeholders. (Avoid the “yes circle” and be careful with the negative time-sponge”. Time is a scarce resource so choose your advisory circle with intention. Not every voice with an opinion adds value to your journey and sometimes the voices at the periphery help inspire the pivotal breakthroughs. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and use feedback to refine (not define) your vision and strategy. If feedback leaves you tapped build in a plan for re-energizing in your cycle.

By integrating viewpoints from mentors, advisors, team members, and clients, entrepreneurs can create a comprehensive feedback loop that focuses on continuous improvement and innovation. This approach ensures that feedback is not just about validation but about genuinely enhancing the value and effectiveness of their offerings and focuses on refining and improving ideas.

The value of diverse viewpoints can't be overstated, especially when building a startup. Here's what to keep in mind: - Seek wisdom from credible sources. - Consult with those who've successfully navigated the path you're on. - Look for mentors who have a history of where you're currently standing. I shifted my approach to learning and it made all the difference: - I started sourcing insights from esteemed experts. - I connected with industry pioneers and veterans. - I welcomed the counsel of seasoned mentors. - I allowed these voices to guide my transformation. It's tempting to listen only within your echo chamber. It feels safer to trust the familiar voices. Take on a growth mindset and it will help you become adaptable.

Engage in honest self-reflection to assess your reactions to feedback. Recognize and acknowledge any defensive or dismissive tendencies that arise from your ego. By honestly confronting these reactions, you can begin to cultivate a mindset of humility and openness to feedback.

This question transcends entrepreneurship, touching on the essence of personal growth. Building a business parallels a journey of self-expansion, requiring engagement with both "known knowns" and "unknown knowns"—the latter being insights others have that you've yet to discover. The key is to sideline your ego, embracing the assumption that feedback, regardless of its source, holds truth. Approach it with curiosity, seeking to understand its validity and implications. This mindset not only aids in personal development but also enriches your entrepreneurial path, allowing you to harness feedback as a tool for growth and innovation.

Consider whether you'd rather be "right" or successful. That takes care of the ego. Consider the source next. Solicit user feedback from users and people who have successfully designed other products. Solicit pitch deck feedback from people who invest in companies like yours. Stubborn founders usually fail.

If you don't have the ability to take feedback then you are probably the MAIN roadblock to your business. We are humans at the end of the day, for some people feedback can be perceived as rejection or translated to "you are not good enough" and then we try to mask those feelings with our ego. My advise: Go deep- there is a reason why feedback feels such as a rejection for you. Look into your childhood, relationship with your parents and other past situations that might have trigger this. You might be able to find the root cause and change your reality ?

Create an environment conducive to open dialogue where feedback is encouraged and valued. Foster a culture of psychological safety within your team or among your peers, where individuals feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and opinions without fear of judgment or reprisal. By fostering open dialogue, you can create opportunities for constructive feedback exchange and personal growth, transcending the limitations of ego.

After collecting feedback, it's important for entrepreneurs to prioritize the most impactful ideas and start making changes gradually. Communicate clearly with the team about what's happening and why and keep checking in to see how the changes are working out. I think it is essential to stay open to ongoing feedback and be ready to tweak things as needed. In my opinion, this approach ensures that changes are manageable and truly beneficial.

Actively implement changes based on the feedback you receive, demonstrating a willingness to learn and improve. Take concrete steps to address areas highlighted by feedback, whether it involves refining your approach, adjusting your strategies, or modifying your behavior. By demonstrating a commitment to growth and development, you can overcome the barriers posed by your ego and harness feedback as a catalyst for progress.

If your entrepreneurial ego hinders you from receiving feedback, start by acknowledging the issue, recognizing that feedback is crucial for growth. Remind yourself that even the most successful entrepreneurs constantly learn and adapt based on others' insights. Practice active listening, focusing fully on the speaker without immediately reacting or defending your actions. Approach feedback with curiosity, asking questions to fully understand the perspectives being shared. Seek out mentors or peers who can provide honest, constructive criticism, and consider their advice with an open mind. Reflect on feedback in your own time, identifying actionable steps for improvement.

When you Google "EGO" initials, you find that "for purposes of addiction recovery, it is a personality characteristic that makes us believe we can control things we cannot." EGO - Ease God Out. Fascinating! Luckily for us, God/the universe is listening and active all the time. If we can't accept feedback, it will backfire in other areas of our lives, quietly and secretly. It's never a smart move to give in completely to the addiction of the entrepreneurial journey without proper boundaries. Trust me. Self reflection is the key.

The line between resilience and self-reflection is a tenuous one that must be intentionally developed. Entrepreneurship necessitates a certain amount of tenacity. To persist we have to quiet the “well-meaning” naysayers who tell us “the vision” is impossible or our undertaking is at risk. Yet, building a solution without external feedback can lead to tunnel vision, hindering growth and innovation. Find a group of trusted advisors you can count on for diverse, informed, authentic perspectives and develop a practice for receiving, analyzing, and adopting insights. Remember, true opportunity lies in adapting and learning from both successes and setbacks, leading to a more robust and sustainable entrepreneurial journey.

Practice active listening and empathy when receiving feedback, focusing on understanding the perspective of the person providing it rather than immediately reacting defensively. Finally, cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and self-improvement, recognizing that feedback is an invaluable tool for personal and professional development.

When your ego interferes with feedback, mindfulness can help. Take a step back and observe your reactions without judgment. Practice deep breathing to stay grounded in the present moment. Reflect on the intention behind the feedback, seeking to understand rather than react defensively. Engage in mindful activities like meditation or yoga to cultivate humility and openness. By embracing mindfulness, you can navigate feedback with grace and foster personal growth as an entrepreneur.