The Number One Skill

 
 
 

Vocabulary

buddy	copywrite	entrepreneur
leader	point out	sell/sold/sold
escape	absolutely	write/wrote/written
slavery	personally	speak/spoke/spoken
able to	figure (3)	grow/grew/grown
thrive	cut it (2)	build/built/built
solo	dominate	sustainable
allow	struggle	impact (2)
tactic	criticism	seek/sought/sought
coach	feedback	entrepreneur
reality	employee	take it personally
saying	still (2)	master (2)
main	up front	empire (2)
go solo	stuck (2)	be my own boss
adapt	seek out	methodology
ego	identity	constantly
hire	right (4)	know/knew/known
coach	surround	consultant
belief	income	perspective
chase	call out	see/saw/seen
dumb	ruthless	somewhat
advice	goal (2)	take/took/taken
strong	level (2)	bottom line
willing	strategy	when it’s all said and done
shiny	object (3)

 
 
 
 
 
By Valentin C.

Asking for Advice

The other day, I asked my buddy Steve what the single most important skill is for entrepreneurs.

And his answer surprised me, somewhat.

Because it’s NOT

Copywriting…

Selling…

Marketing…

Speaking…

Or even leadership…

An Empire

I must point out up front, those things are absolutely important. And if you master even one of them you could probably build a 7-figure income.

But to grow beyond the million dollar level, to build a sustainable empire that impacts millions of people and gives you true financial freedom — those skills alone won’t cut it.

So what will?

Here it is: the Number ONE skill that will take you from being stuck and struggling” to dominating your industry is . . .

The ability to seek out and respond to criticism, feedback, and coaching.

Egotism

In reality, most entrepreneurs take criticism far too personally. They allow their strategy to become a part of their identity. They say the main reason they went from being an employee to going solo is the escape scoldings and be their own boss.

However, it’s their egos that gets in the way of doing what’s best for their business.

As the saying goes “You can either be right, or you can be rich,” because 99 times out of 100 . . . You DON’T know best. And neither do I.

Coaches, Consultants, Google

That’s why I’m constantly hiring coaches and consultants and surrounding myself with smart people who have different skills, perspectives, and beliefs than I do.

And so do all great leaders.

They’re able to point out the things I don’t see. And call me out when I chase “dumb ideas” and “shiny objects” (which sometimes happens).

The bottom line?

Be coachable.

Accept Feedback and Criticism

Learn to take criticism and advice from the right people with a smile. Make it your goal NOT to “be right”, but to be “less wrong” every day.

Because when it’s all said and done it’s not the smartest, strongest, or hardest working entrepreneurs who thrive — but those most willing to adapt.

And getting ruthless feedback and criticism is how you adapt faster.

*     *     *     *     *     *     *

 
 

Questions

1. The theme or main idea of the text came entirely from the writer. True or false?

2. According to his friend, is the most important aspect of business marketing and advertising?

3. Everyone innately and subconsciously loves to be criticized and receive feedback. Is this right or wrong?

4. Who are more adverse to receiving criticism and negative reviews, employees, bosses and entrepreneurs?

5. In business, there’s a saying, “You can either be right; or you can be rich.” What does this mean? Elaborate on this.

6. Do great leaders stand alone and lead entirely by themselves?

7. The most successful people are the smartest and work the most. Is this entirely correct, mostly correct, in the middle, partially correct, or incorrect?

 

A. Describe the traits or qualities of your company or favorite company?

B. Can you think of people or companies that have succeeded though sales, marketing, advertising, promotion or branding?

C. I know some or many people, companies or organizations that reject or ignore criticism and feedback. Yes or no?

D. What people, companies or organizations are very open to criticism and feedback?

E. How do people feel about (giving and receiving) criticism and feedback?

F. What will happen in the future?