One of my biggest pet peeves of IT projects in general is the lack of a proper feedback loop. Not shying away from pointing out what’s to blame or who’s to blame, not for punishing but to enable learning, progression, improvement.
Someone should have told this kid cardboard does not handle heat well.
Thankfully, I always try to be self-critical. It’s not easy, no. It hurts. My pride hurts. But it makes me better. It helps the team. I’m happy to be this way naturally. I’ve benefited from it. If someone asks me how I’ve developed my career and got to the level I am today, I always point out that you do yourself a disservice when you don’t admit where you’re weak.
“But doesn’t it hurt your reputation?” “Doesn’t it inspire weakness when your team is looking for leadership?” “How can your team trust you?” Covering it up may seem good short term, but you’re not doing yourself any favors short or long term. You are doomed to repeat your mistakes if you don’t own them. How will you cover it up every time?
Feedback. Ask for it. Give it to yourself. Check yourself regularly. Admit where you can do better then strive to do better. Don’t worry about the short term fallout. In the end, results always inform reality.
