6 Unspoken Truths About Feedback From the Top 1% That Will Change the Trajectory of Your Career

Read time: 2.5 minutes

How Does the Top 1% Use Feedback?

1. Feedback That's Uncomfortable to Receive is the Most Helpful

• If you just get comfortable feedback from others, you'll never change.

• Pain generally means that something is relevant.

Fix it:

• Ask directly, “What’s holding me back right now?”

• Focus on things you feel uncomfortable doing.

2. "Not Strategic" Can Be Made Actionable by Decoding

• General comments conceal specific skill deficiencies.

• High achievers are good at quickly translating general comments into specific actions.

Fix it:

• Look at three things to help you decode general comments: the context of the comment, how it was framed to you, and how you will make decisions based on it.

• Practice showing your thought process, not just the results of the action.

3. Defensiveness is a Drag on Speed

• Providing reasons for your delayed action on feedback doesn't help you improve.

• It shows you're not interested in developing.

Fix it:

• Shift from defensive to curious.

• Ask, “How can I see progress?”

4. Delivery of Feedback is Not as Important as the Signal

• Even if the feedback was communicated poorly, it still provides value.

• Ignoring feedback is a waste of an opportunity.

Fix it:

• Separate tone from value of feedback.

• Identify patterns, not emotional response.

5. If Change is Not Visible, Then It'll Stagnate Your Career

• Silent change goes unnoticed.

• If you see progress, you get promoted.

Fix it:

• Be clear on how you have changed.

• Show someone the before-and-after to demonstrate improvement.

6. Speed Over Perfection

• Delaying actions on feedback will kill your momentum.

• High achievers can take immediate action.

Fix it:

• Always apply feedback within 48 hours.

• Make an immediate visible improvement.

💡Key Takeaway: 

It isn't the feedback itself that affects your career… rather, it's your timeliness to act on the feedback that counts.