‘You Gain an Incredible Advantage’
Ryan McCormick, media relations specialist and
co-founder at Goldman McCormick Public Relations
NEW SERIES: Second of Six Interviews
“The trick to viewing feedback as a gift is to be more worried
about having blind spots than hearing about them.”
James Clear
Author of Atomic Habits
Writer and speaker
Ryan McCormick
Media Relations Specialist
Co-founder at Goldman McCormick Public Relations
I couldn't agree more with James Clear's quote. One of the nicest things a person can do for you is tell you the honest truth about your shortcomings and where you can improve.
When I first started in PR, my mentor was legendary entertainment publicist Michael Levine. He could be very critical at times and it was hard however, what I didn't realize until years later was that Michael was going to bat for me.
Sometimes criticism comes from customers or other sources not because they care for you but, because they just want you to know they think you suck. You have to have a means for filtering out what feedback is constructive and what is nonsensical.
I don't think a person can truly follow Clear's creed if they're not willing to be completely honest with themselves.
Communication Intelligence: How do we get to this level of thinking to be focused on the right thing and develop humility superior to our ego?
RM: If you are committed to perpetual self-improvement, growth and learning, you will see that subjugating the ego is part of the journey.
Is this path painful at times? Yes. However, because so many people would prefer the comfort of an illusion over the cold hard truth, you gain an incredible advantage.
Those who are capable of embracing their shortcomings are in the best position to not only transcend them but, to adapt to abrupt changes in the marketplace.
