Professional Feedback

Tell me like it is. Give it to me straight. It's the only way I become better, more aware, more intentional about my work.

A client of mine, someone I've been doing business with over the past year, was kind enough to share some honest feedback with me last week.

I asked him, "What do you think I could do differently? How can I be better at what I do?"

He thought for a minute and said, "Well, sometimes on the telephone you come off as being a bit aggressive and sharp. You could try a softer touch and see how that works for you."

...Wow.

He further explained that meeting me in person makes all the difference. His generous feedback (and some might say, courageous feedback, too.... Yikes, right?; He was talking with someone who can be aggressive and sharp!) was such a gift.

It instantly explained why I have always been more successful in my sales career when I'm in front of my clients, and why my close-ratio is weak when I'm relying on phone rapport. I was immediately reminded of why/how I got "here": I had learned to overcompensate for my young appearance and phone voice, which was critiqued over 10 years ago by my first mentor as being "weak" at the time. That feedback then was as important as this feedback is now. I will reset my perception of myself and stop the overcompensating and, as my client friend says: See how it works for me.

This simple professional feedback is a major revelation! It represents a specific opportunity for my growth and greater success. Not to mention a better way to do business for and with one of my favorite and most successful clients.

AWESOME. Thanks, Joe. I'm glad I asked.