The Only Feedback That Actually Matters

Published by Francis | Conscious Capital

One of the most pivotal lessons I’ve learned in my career has nothing to do with strategy or skills, and everything to do with people. It’s this: not all feedback is created equal.

The harsh reality is that criticism is a constant. Everyone has an opinion. But if you listen to everyone, you’ll end up working for everyone but yourself. The key to navigating this noise isn't to build a thicker skin; it's to be ruthlessly selective about whose voices you let inside your circle.

The most critical factor isn't the feedback itself, but the source. Does the encouragement—or the critique—come from someone with the right attitude? More importantly, have they actually done what you're trying to do? Those are the people who can genuinely lift you up. They don't just offer vague praise; they provide the specific, correct feedback you need to keep going and improving.

You can see this principle play out in every area of life:

🚫 Average achievers mock you for working out.

✅ Healthy people cheer you on for your first workout.

🚫 Insecure individuals tear your ideas apart.

✅ Secure people help you build and support your ideas.

🚫 Bitter people will mock your ambitions.

✅ Happy people are the first to offer a genuine compliment.

🚫 Unsuccessful folks often want you to fail.

✅ Successful people actively root for others to succeed.

🚫 Untalented individuals will harshly judge your business.

✅ A successful entrepreneur will give you the tough but fair feedback you need to grow.

This pattern isn't a coincidence. The way we treat others is almost always a reflection of our own internal state. People projecting their own insecurities, regrets, and frustrations are the quickest to offer negativity. It’s often those who are going nowhere in their own lives who have the most genuinely negative things to say about yours.

So, what’s the takeaway?

The next time you are about to give advice, or, more importantly, ask for it, pause. Ask yourself a simple question: who or what do I want to emulate?

Seek out those who have the results you respect and the character you admire. Curate your inner circle with intention, and you’ll find that the right feedback doesn’t just make you better at what you do; it makes you wiser in how you grow

Conscious Capital is a leadership philosophy that reframes personal awareness and intentionality as strategic assets. It represents the disciplined investment of attention and energy to cultivate clarity, resilience, and purpose, forming the foundational equity from which all professional success is derived.