Thursday Thoughts: Gut Check

A little while ago, I asked ChatGPT to analyze how I interact with it and give me honest feedback. Yeah, I know, it sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. But since I use it like my personal assistant to research, spell & grammar check, brainstorm, and run projections, I figured it might be worth asking what it sees in the patterns of my interactions. After all, if I’m going to lean on a tool, I might as well be open to what it has to say.

And I’ll be honest, I didn’t get a gold star. I didn’t get a high five or a shiny "you’re crushing it" badge. What I got was real feedback. Thoughtful, honest, and surprisingly insightful. It pointed out that I’m a forward-thinking strategist who tends to carry a lot of the connective tissue in my work. That I think in systems and operate from purpose. It also reminded me that I sometimes overcomplicate things, move faster than people are ready for, and carry emotional weight I don’t always name out loud.

None of it was offensive. But all of it was useful.

It made me pause and realize how often I avoid feedback, not just from a chatbot, but from actual humans. Because let’s be honest: feedback can be uncomfortable. Sometimes it feels like volunteering for a gut punch. But the truth is, we don’t grow when we only listen to our own voice. And I’ve done that more than I care to admit.

I’ve convinced myself plenty of times that "I already know what they’re going to say," or "it’s not worth bothering them." But I’ve also seen firsthand how much clarity can come from a few honest words, when someone who knows you well (or sometimes not at all) says something that reframes how you see yourself. That’s the power of feedback. It helps us see what we’re too close to recognize.

What really stood out to me is how easy it is to overlook the resources right in front of us. Whether it's a colleague, a mentor, a friend, a team member, or even a tool like ChatGPT - there’s a wealth of feedback available if we’re willing to ask. But we have to be intentional about it. And we have to be open to hearing what comes back.

That Leads Me to This Week’s Challenge…

Ask for feedback from someone who knows you well, someone you trust, or even someone who sees you from a distance and can offer a fresh perspective. Don’t ask them to agree with you. Ask to grow.

Then listen. Really listen. Don’t defend. Don’t deflect. Take it in, reflect, and look for the one or two things you can actually work on. Growth isn’t about fixing everything at once. It’s about getting just a little better, week by week.

And hey, if a chatbot can offer me a few nuggets of wisdom, just imagine what a real conversation could unlock.

If this week’s Thursday Thoughts hit home, I’d love it if you’d like, share, or even shoot me a quick message. I’d be honored to earn your trust, your business, and your feedback. We’re all in this together.