Losing My Mars Bars in Patagonia
I'm whisking you away (mentally!) to the awe-inspiring landscapes of Patagonia. Picture this: snow-capped peaks, icy blue lakes, and winds fierce enough to unseat a politician's toupee. Back in November 2019, I embarked on a thrilling hiking expedition through this wild wonderland. But Patagonia became more than a physical challenge; it became a masterclass in giving and receiving feedback.
I vividly recall a moment when, struggling up a steep slope, a fellow hiker named Gary yelled, "Hey, buddy, your backpack's unzipped!" I had a choice: brush it off or embrace it. I chose the latter, preventing my precious emergency Mars Bars from spilling onto the trail. The lesson? Feedback, whether about a backpack or business strategy, is a gift. It's a chance to learn and grow.
So, let's apply this. Why do we often get defensive in other aspects of life? Instead, let's be open. Listen, weigh the feedback, and decide. Exciting news: I'm hosting a free online masterclass, "How To Give Feedback that Doesn't Suck." Together, we'll uncover the secrets of fostering a feedback-rich culture for your team's success. Click below in the show notes to register.
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Episode Transcript:
Today, I want to whisk you away on a mental journey to the breathtaking landscapes at the bottom of South America, patagonia. Picture this: snow-capped peaks. Icy blue lakes and winds that could blow the toupee off a politician. It was in this wild wonderland that I embarked on an epic hiking expedition in November, 2019.
Now, let me tell you Patagonia wasn't just a test of physical endurance, it was also a lesson in the art of giving and receiving feedback. I recall huffing and puffing up a steep incline, my legs, screaming for mercy, when someone on the hiking path, let's just call him Gary, suddenly shouts. "Hey. Buddy your backpack's unzipped". At that moment, I could have responded in two ways. Option One: I could have shrugged it off dismissing Gary's feedback as unnecessary nagging, not so politely told him to take a hike, and dismiss his feedback. Or Option Two, I could [00:01:00] take a deep breath, thank Gary for his observation, and zip up my damn backpack.
Guess which one I chose? Yeah, that's right. I embraced the feedback. As it turns out, Gary saved me from a future where my essentials (my emergency Mars Bars, obviously) would have spilled out all over the trail. And I'm a little bit embarrassed to say how much time I spent thinking about that one rationed Mars Bar for the day and when I was going to eat it. And losing them on the hiking path would have been irrationally devastating.
So In this story, taking the feedback and zipping up the backpack is a pretty obvious choice.
So why do we get so defensive when we're offered feedback in other areas of our lives? Feedback, whether it's about a backpack or a business strategy, is a gift. It's an opportunity to learn and grow. So next time someone takes the time to give you feedback, don't brush it off like an annoying mosquito. Embrace it, learn from it and let it [00:02:00] propel you to even greater heights.
Instead of blocking someone's feedback immediately, you can listen to their feedback before deciding if you want to take it on. Now if you're hungry, for more knowledge bombs on giving and receiving feedback, register for my free online masterclass, "How To Give Feedback that Doesn't Suck". Together, we'll uncover the secrets to creating a feedback culture that will make your team thrive.
You can click the link on the show notes and embark on this feedback journey together. It's on the 21st or 22nd of August, depending on your time zone and there are still some seats available for this virtual session.
If you've already signed up, have a think about a friend or a peer that could also benefit from this session. And if you can't join live, still sign up for your seat because you will receive the recording that you can watch for the next seven days. So thanks for joining for my Mars Bar and Patagonia experience. And make sure you sign up for the Giving Feedback That Doesn't Suck Master class. Till next week.
