Do Business Better

13Be Critical

We live in an era of hypersensitivity. Political correctness runs rampant. Safe spaces are demanded on college campuses so the delicate young adults won't have to hear dissenting views. We are full tilt into a focus on feelings. Offending someone—and this is increasingly easy to do in a society of safe spaces—verges on a felony‐level crime.

I bring this up because this chapter is apt to hurt some feelings. The advice here runs counter to a world gone touchy‐feely. If you want to get better, you need to get over yourself.

This chapter is about the benefits of critical analysis. It's time to recognize your mistakes and missed opportunities. I'm advising you to be critical. Of yourself.

You Can't Handle the Truth!

“You can't handle the truth!” is a famous line from Jack Nicholson's character, Marine Colonel Nathan Jessup, in A Few Good Men. Colonel Jessup was right. Most people can't handle the truth. But you're not most people. You've read this far because you're on a quest to do business better. Fantastic. You'll do so by being straight with yourself. You need to be self‐critical. Sure it'll be tough to hear but it will yield results.

I know, you're not supposed to be self‐critical. You're supposed to surround yourself with glowing people who ride purple unicorns and pat you on the back telling you you're wonderful. We've been doing that in our schools and suburban soccer fields for 20 years. The result: a bunch of kids who think everyone is a winner.

I'm Not ...