How do you respond when someone offers you a suggestion?
Consider this scenario. Imagine you just gave a presentation. Afterwards, your boss says, “It was good, but you included too much detail, next time make it crisper.”
How do you react? Do you feel the need to explain why you did what you did? Do you feel deflated? Do you interpret her remarks as coaching, or a critique?
The way you interpret and respond to “suggestions” can be the difference between a life of inner turmoil, and mediocrity, or a life of happiness and success. It sounds dramatic, but it’s true.
When someone offers you a suggestion, there are three basic responses: