The Feedback That Shook Me And Shaped Me

How One Conversation Flipped My Career Trajectory (and How to Turn Criticism Into Your Biggest Advantage)

The Moment That Changed Everything

I still remember the exact words: “You’re just mediocre.”

It hit like a punch to the gut.

I had just landed my first job after college. Moved five hours from home for the opportunity - young, hungry, and eager to prove myself. It was visit day, and I’d worn my finest red and khaki. I was ready.

After a store walk, I pulled my boss’s boss aside and asked for feedback. What I got? Not what I expected.

I’d been modeling my behavior after my direct supervisor. What I didn’t know? He wasn’t exactly known for high performance. I had unknowingly spent months following the wrong example.

I was devastated. Embarrassed. But I was also determined.

Because for me, failure was never an option.

That feedback didn’t just sting. It cracked something open. And in that crack, clarity walked in.

Because it wasn’t about being good at my job. It was about being seen.

If you’ve ever thought you were killing it, only to realize you’ve been coasting, overlooked, or invisible, this one’s for you.

Why Feedback Is the Career Game-Changer Nobody Talks About

Here’s the truth: what feels like criticism is often your career compass.

The women who rise? They don’t just tolerate feedback. They chase it.

Think of feedback as GPS. Without it, you’re burning gas and going nowhere. With it, you’ve got turn-by-turn directions to your next level.

Want proof? Here’s what the research says about feedback as a success driver. It’s not just about how feedback is delivered, it’s about how you respond to it.

The key isn’t taking it personally. It’s taking it seriously.

That “mediocre” moment snapped me out of autopilot. I went from head-down hustle to head-up strategy.

Because excellence doesn’t always speak for itself. But clarity, presence, and feedback-fueled refinement absolutely do.

Silence Isn’t a Compliment. It’s a Clue.

Let’s bust a myth. No news is not good news.

If you’re not getting feedback, it might not be because you’re crushing it. It might be because you’re coasting.

When people stop offering insight, that’s not comfort. That’s stagnation.

Here’s what silence might actually be saying:

• You’re under the radar, not in the running

• Your presence is neutral, not memorable

• You’ve plateaued, and no one knows how to tell you

The fix is simple but not always easy. Ask.

Be proactive. Create space for real talk. Your growth depends on it.

From Criticism to Clarity: The Mindset Shift That Changed My Career

After that gut-punch of a conversation, I made a decision. I would never be caught off guard by my own reputation again.

I didn’t wait for feedback. I invited it. I stopped defending and started listening. I turned hard conversations into action plans and made my progress visible.

It was never about being perfect. It was about staying in progress. Staying in control.

If this part of the journey speaks to you, you’ll want to read Why Good Girls Don’t Get Promoted and What Power Players Do Instead. It’s a deep dive into the unspoken rules of career advancement and how I learned to stop shrinking and start showing up differently.

Build Your Advocacy Ecosystem Before You Need It

You don’t need more connections. You need advocates.

Advocates are the ones who say your name in rooms you haven’t entered yet. The ones who push your resume to the top of the stack. The ones who see you and make sure others do too.

Here’s how to start:

• Build real relationships across departments, not just with higher-ups

• Show up with value, not just ambition

• Look for people who see you, and see them back

Don’t just network. Nurture. Don’t just be liked. Be remembered.

Ready to Flip the Script? Here’s What to Do This Week

If you’ve had your own “mediocre” moment or you’re feeling the weight of silence, this is your moment.

It doesn’t have to be a breakdown. It can be your breakthrough.

Try one of these power moves this week:

• Ask someone you trust, “What’s one thing I could do differently to show up stronger?”

• Revisit a piece of tough feedback you’ve been avoiding and reframe it as fuel

• Want help showing up with more presence in your next meeting or interview?

Start with my Nail Your Intro Template. It’s the clarity boost that helped me stop hiding and start rising.

Final Thoughts: You Don’t Stay the Same

After that conversation, I sat in my controller room office on my closing shift, still in red and khaki, phone pressed to my ear, calling my work bestie in disbelief.

For one brief moment, I considered packing it all up and heading home.

But giving up? That was never the plan. Because mediocre could never be my legacy.

This reminds me of something Michelle Obama once said: “I have been at every powerful table you can think of… They are not that smart.”

That feedback didn’t break me. It built me.

I turned critique into clarity. Clarity into strategy. And strategy into career power.

Ask for the truth. Hold it with grace. Let it shape you.

Your next level isn’t about new skills. It’s about new awareness.

And if no one’s ever told you this before. You don’t need permission to grow. You just need to decide you’re ready.