The flip side of this is being able to accept constructive criticism. While Scott learned a lot about how to be a manager herself, the true takeaway here is probably more that Scott was able to recognize and accept Sheryl&#x27;s valid criticism. Just because someone tells me the truth -- candidly or not! -- doesn&#x27;t mean I&#x27;m going to listen. There has to be a level of respect and trust in that relationship. I have to <i>believe</i> them when they say that.<p>I&#x27;m terrible at accepting feedback like this from my friends, but when I met my old boss for lunch last week, he gave me almost the same advice they did. And somehow it stuck. I&#x27;m self-aware enough to realize that I put a lot of stock and respect into what he thinks of me and I trust his opinion, more than I trust my friends who aren&#x27;t necessarily tech people or managers.<p>And maybe that&#x27;s another fault within myself. My friends clearly gave me solid advice, but it took someone else to give it to me again before it stuck. How can I learn from this and possibly take that advice sooner?<p>I appreciate Scott&#x27;s story, and I absolutely agree with her conclusions across the board, but I think it&#x27;s only a small piece of the overall puzzle.