Pivot Instead of Pout: Turning Feedback into Action

When I get invested in something I really care about and believe in, I become obsessed with implementation. I’m experiencing that while developing a DIY experience for leaders and their teams called Belongify Connect (keep following for more about it very soon). 

Getting critical feedback on a passion project is tough—especially when you’re eager to launch. Here are some key learnings we’re experiencing, and how to channel that energy productively:

✅ Embrace Feedback, Even When It’s Hard

  • Feedback is a gift, even when it challenges your vision.

  • Separate personal attachment from product improvement.

✅ Avoid the "Perfection Trap" (But Don’t Compromise Quality)

  • "Perfect" can delay progress, but "great" should still be the goal.

  • Set clear minimum standards—then refine based on real-world use. 

✅ Pivot, Don’t Pout

  • Defensiveness stalls growth; adaptability drives success.

  • Acknowledge the emotional struggle, then focus on solutions.

✅ Know When to Ship

  • Iteration is key, but don’t let endless tweaks paralyze you.

  • Launch, learn, and improve—don’t corkscrew into inaction.

✅ Thank Your Critics

  • The best feedback comes from people who care. I get to remind myself how fortunate I am to have people care enough to tell me the good, bad and ugly.

  • Honor their input by acting on it (when it makes sense).

Worse than pouting is paralysis and ultimately pivoting, or “corkscrewing” to nothingness. As the saying goes, “you only trip if you’re moving forward.”Progress beats perfection. Ship, learn, and keep pivoting forward.

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now, 

- Lorne 

Garrett’s View: While we’re realistically aware there’s no such thing as perfection, it’s impossible to ignore how slim of a grace period, test of patience, or really any friction in the process is tolerated. It’s zero. Even though it’s just a product and not a rocket ship, thank goodness we can rely on trustworthy feedback to help make sure there isn’t a catastrophic failure or explosion we’re otherwise oblivious to because we just want to get to space. 

- Garrett 

AI Response:Your struggle with feedback is relatable—research shows that 85% of employees and leaders avoid giving tough feedback due to fear of conflict (Harvard Business Review). Yet, companies that actively seek and act on feedback grow 3x faster (McKinsey). The ‘perfection trap’ is real: 72% of product delays stem from over-polishing (PwC). The key? Launch fast, iterate faster—Agile teams that ship early see 60% higher success rates (Forrester).
















































































































































































































































































































































 

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