10 Lessons from 10 Years as a Founder: #8 Seek External Opinions
As you navigate the rollercoaster of running your own business, there's one golden nugget of wisdom that stands out: the importance of seeking external opinions, advice, and feedback.
It starts before you decide to make the jump and start a company – talking to your friends, family, or potential customers. But, in my view – you need an element of single mindedness and self-belief when making the decision to jump – and the risk of taking too many external views then, is that you may never end up doing it!
Once you are doing it – and busy with the day to day grind of being an Entrepreneur, it becomes much more important. It can be really easy to think: "I'm the Founder! I know my business inside out. Why would I need someone else's opinion?" But getting a fresh perspective can be incredibly beneficial. It’s helped me out many times throughout the 10 years of running Hable.
When you dedicate your life to running a business, you tend to get a bit insular in your thinking. It's only natural. You're so deeply involved in every aspect of your business, it's easy to develop tunnel vision. That's where external opinions come in handy. A fresh pair of eyes can provide new insights, challenge your assumptions, and help you see things you might not have considered.
Talking to others helps you work “on the business” rather than “in the business.”
How and Where to Get External Advice
Networking events are a fantastic place to gather external opinions. These events are teeming with experienced professionals who can offer valuable advice and feedback. Don't be shy – strike up a conversation, share your ideas, and ask for their thoughts. You never know who might provide that idea or piece of wisdom that takes your business to the next level.
Mentors are another invaluable source of external opinions. Depending on who you choose or ask to be your mentor, they'll have been through things and have a wealth of experience you can draw from. A good mentor can provide honest feedback, offer strategic advice, and help you navigate entrepreneurship. They can be a sounding board, or even just someone to vent to when things get tough is always a bonus.
You also can’t dismiss the power of peer feedback. Sometimes, the best advice comes from those who are in the same boat as you. Fellow Founders and entrepreneurs understand the unique challenges you face and can offer practical, real-world advice. They might have faced similar issues and can share what worked (and what didn't) for them. So, make an effort to connect with your peers, whether it's through industry groups, online forums, or even just a casual chat over coffee.
I've also often leaned on the advice of friends and family. Sure, they might not be entrepreneurs or even have a clue about the industry you operate in, but they know you better than anyone else. Their feedback might be more about your approach and mindset rather than the day-to-day of your business, but that's just as important. They can provide a different perspective and help you stay grounded. People who are not in your industry will also ask the “stupid questions” – which can often bring moments of clarity, or represent the exact same questions that your customers might be asking.
Seeking external opinions doesn't mean you have to agree with everything you're told. It is still down to you to make the decisions. But it helps to be open to different viewpoints, considering them thoughtfully, and then deciding what you think is best for your business.
Entrepreneurship can be quite lonely at times, especially in the early days. Having those people there to bounce off of can really help take you – and your ideas - to the next level. Even when you have staff to talk to every day – don’t ever stop seeking external opinions…
