I know a guy who has a love/hate relationship with feedback. He always hates getting it, but after talking with his wife, he usually admits there’s something there. Or as he laughed and confessed, “Ok—I do do that thing!”
Leveling up is no simple feat. However, here’s why you want to put it on your year-end menu. When you can look back over the year and learn from mistakes, you’re creating a foundation that will not only transform where you are today but may just set you up for the next 5-10 years. In the November series, Pass the Masterclass, we’ll discuss how soft skills can help you transform common mistakes into empowering wisdom.
My friend Mikala is warm and engaging, which is why I was surprised to hear that she dislikes presentations. An invitation to join a local Toastmasters group changed her mind. She still isn’t the first person leaping at a speaking opportunity, but she’s become calmer and more comfortable when she has the floor.
I’m not the only one who noticed the change. After a recent team All Hands Meeting, her Lead took Mikala aside. They complimented her and asked if she was a natural speaker.
Mikala related the Toastmasters story, encouraging the Lead to find a group. But the Lead leaned in and said in a hushed tone, “Oh, I could never do that. You see, I’m at too high a level. Other people can’t know that I’ve come this far, but I still avoid presenting.”
I winced when Mikala told me the story. And then I thought, Well, you should offer to private coach them for $200 an hour!
On a serious note, can you relate to the Lead? You may listen to that story and think it’s about public speaking, and that’s certainly one aspect. However, the real masterclass is about cultivating the ability to face difficult truths.
Feedback may initially be hard to hear, but you’re getting inside information. So, the trick is to address situations when they’re small and manageable.
Now, let’s replay the case study with questions the Lead might have asked themselves to have a better outcome. And by the way, you can also take this 3-question pop quiz because if we’re talking about a masterclass, you know there’s a test!
“Am I seeing the situation clearly?” Are false beliefs at play, like thinking skilling is either too hard or takes too much time? Step 1 to start moving in the right direction is as easy as telling old stories, “Bye, Felicia!”
“Are today’s actions costing me tomorrow?” This question was the blind spot for Mikala’s Lead. He thought he was kicking the can in the moment. However, he couldn’t see the future trade-offs caused by that split-second decision.
For instance, have you known someone who lost out on visibility with the VP because they disliked presenting? Who wasn’t invited for the big trip abroad to meet with marquee clients? And who wound up struggling with imposter syndrome?
Yikes—when you start adding up the what-abouts that might get in the way of career success, suddenly continuing on the same path doesn’t seem as appealing. So, Step 2 is to take out your crystal ball to identify potential long-term consequences.
“What one action can I take to benefit myself?” In fairness, no one likes confronting awkward, uncomfortable topics. But the good news is that you don’t have to become a different person overnight. So, take a soft approach to Step 3—simply choose one concrete way to support yourself. Taking courageous action is a way to demonstrate agency.
Before you go, imagine yourself a year from now. But instead of a competency tripping you up—whether it’s public speaking, offering your perspective in a meeting, or volunteering for a stretch opportunity—you’re now at a place where that skill has become second nature. No more dancing around what was once hard to admit, no more delays. Start increasing your professional status by passing the masterclass on truth-telling.