Filed under: Comment
So I was in a meeting, talking to a client, when they said,
“You said something I found quite interesting …”
Before he could finish what he was going to say, I responded:
“You only found one thing that I said interesting and then it was only ‘quite’ interesting?”
He laughed.
OK so I was being an ass – and maybe I had only said one thing that was mildly of value – however it occurred to me how often we say, or hear, little things that have the potential to undermine the confidence of others.
Of course in the main we don’t really mean them to come across that way – they’re just figures of speech – however without wishing to sound all Oprahesque, we have to be mindful of these incidental slurs, because they can act as ‘confidence vampires’ and the last thing we need are our colleagues – and clients – believing they can’t think, dream or explore big.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suggesting giving false feedback, far from it – that is absolutely essential – but we need to be mindful we’re not accidently contributing to our industries obsolescence to business because quite frankly, they need a great version of us as much as we need a great version of them.
20 Comments so far
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fuck me, youve gone all paula fucking abdul.
Comment by andy@cynic April 24, 2012 @ 6:07 ami dont have to worry about accidentally fucking your confidence because i always do it on purpose.
Comment by andy@cynic April 24, 2012 @ 6:07 amdont fucking blame me, you started it by being a planner and talking planner shit.
my conscience is fucking clear.
Comment by andy@cynic April 24, 2012 @ 6:09 amYou said something interesting Rob.
Not now, a long time ago.
But I’ve forgotten what it was.
Comment by DH April 24, 2012 @ 6:13 amBut rich coming from someone who turns every meeting into a battle.
Aren’t you the one who said, “When are you going to do something worth your salary?” or “My Mum could have done that” or “That’s an interesting point, I have a different point of view and it’s opposite to yours in every possible way.”
Not that it bothered me, I never listened when you were talking.
Comment by Billy Whizz April 24, 2012 @ 6:17 amgood fucking point billy.
not quite good not really fucking good, but good. is that ok for your fucking fragile confidence?
Comment by andy@cynic April 24, 2012 @ 6:22 amI thought you were meant to listen to your annual appraisals Billy.
Comment by John April 24, 2012 @ 6:30 amI never thought I would ever say this, but I agree with Billy.
Comment by Lee Hill April 24, 2012 @ 6:37 amIf you want any more advice Lee, you know where to come.
Comment by Billy Whizz April 24, 2012 @ 6:49 amyeah lee, get billy on board, im sure tricky dickie would find his views on porn and whisky fucking invaluable.
Comment by andy@cynic April 24, 2012 @ 7:19 amTake the piss, I can take it … I’ve got bigger issues to deal with.
For example, I’ve just spent the last 2 hours trying to convince someone at Beijing Airport to open one of their “self check-in” machines after it swiped my passport from out of my hands while scanning my information.
No, that’s not a joke.
Yes, I can hear you laughing.
Comment by Rob April 24, 2012 @ 7:47 ami fucking love those commies.
Comment by andy@cynic April 24, 2012 @ 7:56 amA machine managed in 3 seconds what the chinese, american, singaporean, hong kong, aussie & british governments have been dreaming about for 20 years.
Who says machines can’t think for themselves?
Comment by DH April 24, 2012 @ 8:23 amI hope you have been using positive terms that did not drain the officials of their confidence and esteem.
Comment by John April 24, 2012 @ 4:14 pmWell that’s business class for yo
Comment by northern April 24, 2012 @ 6:54 pmOr Byron has more friends than we thought
Comment by northern April 24, 2012 @ 6:55 pmcampbell rang me today. basically called me a twat within the first 20 fucking seconds. when i reminded him about this bollocks post, he said my confidence is teflon fucking coated. wanker. hes right, but thats only because im always fucking brilliant.
Comment by andy@cynic April 24, 2012 @ 11:24 pmI like the way this week is going…well done…just curious though, is the theme of the week – life lessons by Robert Campbell?
Comment by swati April 24, 2012 @ 4:05 pmKnowing what the other posts of this week consist of, I’m afraid that is the theme. Don’t worry, you can jut ignore it all like you normally do.
Comment by Rob April 24, 2012 @ 4:40 pmi never ignore it…i am always here bright and early to read all of andy’s comments…looking forward to this week more than ever now…
Comment by swati April 24, 2012 @ 5:17 pm