Value Negative Feedback

When troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. James 1:2

Let’s hear it for the complainers and perennial dark clouds who are part of every leader’s life. If it weren’t for these folks who go out of their way to tell you what’s wrong, your leadership would suffer for lack of truthful input.

Most great ideas are born out of a desire to scratch an itch, right a wrong, or fix a problem. If you want to be the kind of leader who makes changes and carries the team forward, you’ll need to look for nuggets of truth in the negative feedback that comes your way.

The CEO of a large retail chain reportedly walks onto the sales floor of his stores to ask employees and shoppers, “What do we do that’s dumb?” I’m sure he learns a lot more from these answers than by asking, “What do you like about us?”

How long has it been since you spent time listening to the pessimists and naysayers?

Blessed are the grumblers, for they shall point out opportunities for change.