Every day we interact with friends, business partners, clients, prospects… You get the idea. Many of those folks politely hear whatever we have to say. If we’re lucky they’re not just hearing but listening. If we have a real relationship we may reach one rung higher. Criticism.

Adviser, sounding board, or devil’s advocate. Call them what you will, but you need at least a few people around you who don’t hesitate to give their honest opinion of both your current strategy and your execution. These are the folks who point out the downside, the flaws, or in extreme cases the cranial rectal inversion. They’re the mirrors you check before you leave the house. In other words, “Excuse me, you have spinach in your teeth.”

Some of your advisers won’t offer their opinions unasked. That’s fine, but be sure to ask. Others will communicate in embarrassingly public ways! Get over yourself, and learn to love them for it.

The nature of the flaws they see depends on their point of view. If you’ve sought my advice there’s probably a technology angle. If you seek out Lorraine Ball, you probably have marketing on the mind. Chris Reed runs a home repair business, but is almost more visible as a networking coach! And Tim Dugger knows more about helping job seekers that I ever care to.

I could go on, but you get the idea. I exchange opinions, help, and advice with all three of these folks on a regular basis. And we each speak and contribute based on our experiences in business and in life.

Now go out and find a mirror!

P.S. Lorraine, that thing I emailed you about? Looks much better now!

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