My Trusted Advisors... and Board of Directors... and Focus Group...and...

Guest Contributor: Debbie Lousberg
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My Business Development mentor, who also facilitates my Master Mind group, reminded me recently that our Thursday morning meetings are just the place to come to try out new ideas and strategies. Here is a group of people whose sole purpose is to listen and support me in reaching my goals. This includes offering up that good old fashioned constructive criticism.

An exercise I encourage my clients to do as they're contemplating a career transition is to ask others for their insight on what they see as my client's strengths and challenges. In other words, mustering up the courage to ask Best Friend Joe, Cousin Gloria, and Colleague Bill what they see in them that they don't, can't or won't for themselves. While their responses will be well-intended and helpful, they may not be as open and honest as my client really needs. Usually, the closer the relationship, the more the response will be filtered so as not to hurt feelings or damage relationships. This is, though, a safe way to see new glimpses into themselves they may have overlooked or discounted.

So, where can a brave soul, especially we "solopreneurs" go to get that valuable, objective feedback that may not necessarily be easy on the ears? A Master Mind group of course!! This is the perfect place to go out on a limb and ask for feedback, knowing you will get exactly what you need to move ahead in spite of the fact it may be contrary to your own opinions. I did this recently with a product idea and came away with wonderful feedback, as well as constructive criticism on ways to make it even better. The end result was a much more substantial, easy-to-read, catchy-titled product that came from my efforts and from the trusted advice of my Master Mind group members. So, get out there - ask that tough question you've been holding back on and get ready for some of the best objective advice you can get. Happy Master Minding!