Do You Crave Feedback?

Most of us don't. Most of us just want to do something, receive accolades, and move on. In absence of accolades, we'll accept silent acceptance. Certainly, we almost always wish to avoid the dreaded 'constructive' or 'not-so constructive criticism' of our employers, co-workers, clients, spouses; whoever is involved in the process with us.

Its easy to hear both benign suggestions and harsh criticisms as the same thing: an attack on what we've done - in the case of speaking, often an attack on what we believe and who we are, not just how we sound.

I've worked with clients who are scared to get in front of an audience, as well as those who can 'WOW' an audience - both are capable of climbing to a higher level by learning to crave feedback - to accept that they have someplace better they want to go, and be willing to hear the truth it takes to get them there.

For those that put the sheet over the mirror, or jealously work to maintain the status quo in order to stay 'under the radar', their consequences go beyond just not getting better at their chosen pursuit. Sooner or later (usually sooner), they fall behind the curve, not only failing improve, but deteriorating.

As a speaking coach I take feedback even as I give feedback. I coach individuals from their starting point, not my own. In the past week, I've evaluated three projects that couldn't be more diverse, working with personalities of three distinctly different types. I give feedback, I get feedback, I give more feedback based on their feedback - and improvement happens in leaps instead of steps.

The Origin of New Foot Smell

In 2006, I needed to write a speech for a District Competition in Toastmasters that covered Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho. The event took place 4 weeks after my amputation. I felt I had to address the situation, without creating a speech which made my audience feel sorry for me.

I developed "Live Your Legacy" which took the story of my Grandfather's preoccupation with leaving a specific legacy with my doubt I could leave a strong legacy if I was unable to walk. When I discussed the surgery, I used terms such as 'upgrade', 'super-deluxe robot leg', and celebrated my solution, my 'New Foot Smell'.

This speech, along with 8 others from myself, 2006 World Champion Ed Hearn, and 2nd place winner Douglas Wilson, is compiled, with background information on our journey to the World Championship of Public Speaking, in our book Win Place & Show.

In December, I'm running a special on the book - with it comes a Video of me performing at the next level, still in a wheelchair, but with the same positive humor that got me there in "Live Your Legacy".

Buy a copy for yourself, your friends, or the guy walking down the street, at http://www.richhopkins.net/WinPlaceShow12.htm!