Conduct This Survey #NotKidding

I just conducted the most courageous survey I’ll conduct all year.

And the early returns are not small, granted they came from small people.?

My most important survey was an end-of-year "internal satisfaction” performance review conducted with my kids — ?a “live” in person??two question survey with my 10 year old son and 8 year old daughter.?

The survey was conducted in the family Hot Tub on the morning of December 27th.?

Years ago, I did work with the folks at Hot Spring Spas and learned that the Hot Tub is the "kitchen table 2.0".?Where “once upon a time” families used to wait for their working parent to come home to ruminate together over dinner, today, we’re so time starved (or self-sabotaged surrounded by screens) that this sacred little family time has dwindled.?

The Hot Spring Spas data showcased how?water?is a magical elixir — a truth serum — that matadors time while allowing for conversations to flow well beyond the usual one word answers many parents receive from their kids. If you have kids, you know what I’m talking about.?

The two EOY Review survey questions went as followed:

1. Were you happy with Dad last year?

2. Where could Dad have been better?

Upon the completion of asking both questions — which I asked at the same time — to my surprise, my 10 year old son launched in faster than anticipated.?

Where he was happiest? ?From his lens, I was much more available than I had been in years past. He said that a lot of Dad’s are absent even when they’re home and he appreciated how I coached his soccer team and, overall, how we played a lot.?

Where I could be better? He shared that I could see the world from his point of view more before being so quick to judge. And that I could be more patient when it came to listening to him and his sister.?

My first thought on hearing this was, “are you really 10”? ?This was followed by a wave of remorse that I would think my kids wouldn’t have a thoughtful point of view on how their Dad shows up around the roost. ?

Meanwhile, his 8 year old sister agreed with her brother that I should see the world more from their perspective. And, lightheartedly, was happiest where I took her to Five Guys on French Fry runs. It’s the little things! ?

#MarshallGoldsmith has this concept in one of his books regarding how we go about feedback. In reality, he suggests “feedback” should be rebranded “feedforward” because it’s not just receiving what you need to hear but how you apply the learnings into the future.?

Now on to you.?

Who do you need to have a sit down with for the greater good of better communication and alignment in the year ahead? ?As you think about conducting your own courageous surveys — with your kids, your employees, your spouse, or yourself — how will you turn that feedback into feedforward??

Have the courage to create that open forum to hear what might be hard, but that you need to hear. ?Then make the necessary adjustments to the way you show up in 2024 and beyond.

THE COURAGEOUS PODCAST

Listed among the "30 Most Creative Women in Advertising" by Business Insider, Xanthe Wells is a driving force wherever she may be. Since joining Pinterest (from Google) in November 2022, Xanthe has been a key player behind the brand's creative evolution, introducing a new era of product-focused creative endeavors that have not only elevated the quality standard but also bolstered Pinterest's standing in the industry. In a candid conversation with host Ryan Berman, Xanthe delves into the dynamic landscape of the creative industry, emphasizing the growing significance for brands to embrace creativity with unwavering courage. The discussion goes beyond the surface, exploring the nuanced interplay between "book smart" and emotional intelligence within working teams. Finally, Xanthe and Ryan delve deep into the need for companies to embrace creativity in all facets of business — not simply what ends up in a positioning statement, on social media or an advertisement.

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Missed the last 5 episodes?

• "I am Ruth Bader Ginsburg" Author w/ Brad Meltzer.
• NeuroGym w/ John Assaraf .
• End of 2023 Special w/ Mystery Guests.
• Museum of Ice Cream w/ Erin Levzow .
• Executive Development w/ Mary Olson - Menzel .

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Ryan Berman is the founder of Courageous; a think-feel-do change consultancy based in Southern California. With 25 years in creative business, Ryan believes your “future is safe with change”. Ryan is a speaker, practitioner, and authority on the subject who has been featured in Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Inc, and Forbes. Ryan has spoken on the topic all over the country including at Google, Procter & Gamble, Kellogg’s, Kraft Heinz, Logitech, Discover Card, and charity: water. Ryan also hosts The Courageous Podcast where he talks with leaders from around the globe to uncover what it means to be courageous in today's world. His book, Return On Courage , shares why companies need to unlock courage while providing practical tips on how organizations can operationalize courage today.?Learn more at couragebrands.com