Soliciting Hard Feedback and Hypergrowth: The Key to Success

Soliciting Hard Feedback and Hypergrowth: The Key to Success

In the fast-paced world of business, growth is the ultimate goal. However, sustaining exponential hypergrowth is a myth, and companies need to focus on increasing carrying capacity or creating new avenues of growth. This requires serious investment, parallel efforts, and the chutzpah to kill off ideas that aren't working. To achieve fast growth, companies need to add additional products, but this requires multiple products, not just one. Word-of-mouth-driven growth is more effective than marketing-driven growth, so it's worth investing time in building that into the product.

To succeed in business, soliciting hard feedback is crucial. Asking specific questions, such as "If I were to step into my manager's job today, what gaps would keep me from being successful?" forces people to think about whether the person is on track for the next role. Acknowledging criticism makes it safer for people to elaborate and brainstorm, converting them from potential adversaries to allies. Identifying people who will have the toughest feedback and asking them specifically is essential. When they share their thoughts, it's important to limit responses to "Thank you" and "Tell me more" to avoid fighting the feedback.

Thanking people in the moment for sharing and circling back later to describe the impact of the conversation on behavior shows appreciation for their honesty. If feedback is not taken, explaining why makes it easier for people to be honest in the future. Connecting the importance of soliciting hard feedback to business growth, it's clear that both require investment, parallel efforts, and the willingness to let go of ideas that aren't working. Companies need to focus on multiple products, not just one, and building word-of-mouth-driven growth into the product.

In conclusion, soliciting hard feedback and hypergrowth are essential to success in business. Both require investment, parallel efforts, and the willingness to let go of ideas that aren't working. To achieve growth, companies need to focus on multiple products, not just one, and building word-of-mouth-driven growth into the product. Soliciting hard feedback is crucial for personal growth and development, and by thanking people and showing them the impact of their words, it's easier to be honest in the future.