Gone are the days when the business world was closed and over-protective about professional knowledge. If you really believe in what you do, you can’t help sharing your views and your expert advice. For me the effectiveness of 360 degree feedback is such a powerful tool for self development (provided it’s properly planned and managed), that I get carried away with enthusiasm whenever I’m asked for advice. I would find it almost impossible not to impart information about the pros and cons, and ways to get the most from the process.
But just occasionally in business, this way of sharing information openly comes back to bite you. To my knowledge, it’s only happened to me twice: Once when a consultant asked my advice on 360 degree feedback, and shortly afterwards, became a direct competitor. And more recently, something similar appears to have been done by an interior design company we asked for a proposal on a property.
The recent instance got me thinking – should I be more closed and guarded with regard to sharing my knowledge? Some people could argue that this would be sensible. On reflection, I disagree. There will always be those whose approach to business is to jealously protect their expertise, and there will be those who take the view that being dishonest about their reason for asking advice is fair business practice. But to my mind, it’s far more important to be comfortable with the way you work. I’d rather risk a few bad experiences while I give advice freely – that way I know I’m adding true value to the 360 degree feedback process.
On balance, I don’t think I’ve done too badly if I’ve only had two bad experiences in my career. And when it comes right down to it – people do business with people they trust. I know what sort of person I’d prefer as a partner.
Article by Vandy Massey
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Couldn’t agree with you more Vandy if you haven’t got trust in the business relationship then it’s not going to benefit either party. I have also had a couple of experiences but in the grand scheme of things most people are authentic and apprecaite that you are too.