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Don’t Take It Personally

As you explore information and options in any decision-making situation, remember that you want people to give you their honest and accurate information and recommendations. So when they tell you something you don’t really want to hear, or say that an idea is dumb, remember that they are reacting to the idea or the information—not you.

Don’t take these comments personally. They are not attacks on you. They are not criticisms of you personally. They are just other people’s honest assessments of the situation or the idea.

If you take these things personally, you risk damaging the decision-making process and you certainly risk damaging your relationships with the people you are asking.

It ain’t about you, it’s about the solution.