Did you hear the feedback you received? Or did you block it out because you already had the solution all figured out?

We were at a session for recent college graduates, and one of my colleagues shared a profound piece of wisdom - if you want to be a leader, you've got to embrace feedback and make it your ally.

Think about it. True transformation often happens when it's almost impossible to stay the same. Listening to feedback is no walk in the park. As you read this, your mind may be racing with past problems, future worries, and your own solutions. Are you truly absorbing what I'm saying?

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The ones who truly succeed aren't looking for shortcuts or waiting for luck to strike. They actively engage with feedback, constantly fine-tuning themselves, their teams, their goals, and even their surroundings. This isn't just about acquiring new skills. Too often, while receiving feedback, we're already formulating our responses.

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Now, in the same session, another colleague chimes in, reminding us all that the career journey is rarely a straightforward path. We can all relate to that. One significant reason for this meandering is our tendency to brush off feedback, resist personal growth, or simply avoid change. At times, it's necessary to backtrack in our careers, reevaluate our roles, and industries, and even consider starting fresh.

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As of late, mentoring has become a significant part of my daily routine. I'm constantly sharing thoughts and ideas. However, what often strikes me is that the person across from me isn't truly absorbing what I'm saying. I can sense it. They believe they've got all the answers. We share a knowing chuckle about repeating the same actions and expecting different results - a lesson we learned as kids but somehow forget as adults. We keep doing things our way, hoping for a miraculous turnaround. The learning isn't being applied.

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I have shared this in many of my articles – “I made real changes in my life when someone or something made it almost impossible to do otherwise.” But do we always need a wake-up call to make a change? Ideally, we wouldn't. However, one day, that wake-up call will come knocking.

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Here's what I've learned after experiencing a few of these wake-up calls: continuous improvement is the secret sauce. I may not undergo a complete overhaul today or tomorrow, but my daily ritual involves reflecting on the day, pinpointing one area to enhance, and making that my mission for tomorrow. Rinse and repeat. Progress is inevitable.

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So, whether you're just starting your career or somewhere along the journey, here's the golden nugget of wisdom: if things aren't falling into place, it's often because you're not truly absorbing feedback, you're not open to listening, or you're resisting change. Let go of the need to always be right and all-knowing. Try changing just one thing tomorrow. Miracles can unfold with time and preparation.

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And remember, the key is to break free from the constraints of what you already know. Be open and take action based on the input you receive. See each day as an opportunity to make small tweaks, even in the tiniest of ways. These subtle shifts, when done deliberately, snowball into remarkable transformations over time.

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Additionally, embrace the fact that the journey ahead won't always be a smooth ride. You'll face setbacks and require course corrections. Rather than seeing these as failures, view them as data points guiding your adjustments, pushing you closer to your ultimate destination.

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Lastly, acknowledge that listening isn't a walk in the park. Our instinct is to provide solutions, not to fully accept feedback. To truly hear, you must consciously detach from preconceived notions, create space, suspend judgment, reflect, and prioritize understanding over immediate reactions.

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And you need to associate yourself with awesome colleagues!

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With unwavering daily commitment, breakthroughs will gradually unfold over time. The feedback you need is out there, waiting for you to truly hear it. Regardless of where you are in your journey, strive for improvement, one small step at a time. These small, deliberate steps have the power to lead you to greatness.

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Until next time, Cheers,

Amit

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