In my journey as leader and builder, one of the most valuable insights I’ve encountered is the incredible power of being a “sponge”—absorbing wisdom, experiences, and yes, even feedback.
Adam Grant, in his book Hidden Potential, beautifully describes this concept through the metaphor of a sea sponge. A sponge actively draws water in, filters out impurities, and retains valuable nutrients. Similarly, we grow fastest when we proactively seek knowledge, courageously try new things, filter out the noise of ego and bias, and thoughtfully internalize constructive insights.
Trying new things often means stepping beyond our comfort zone and inevitably encountering setbacks or mistakes. But here’s the secret: mistakes are not signs of failure—they are evidence of courage, curiosity, and growth. In fact, Grant suggests creating a “mistake budget“—pre-committing to accepting a few missteps as essential investments toward improvement. This reframing encourages exploration without fear.
Feedback, too, plays a critical role. Rather than dreading it, we can view feedback as a precious gift—a signal from someone invested in our growth, pointing out opportunities we might otherwise miss. Ask for advice proactively by saying, “What’s one thing I should do differently next time?” rather than passively waiting for judgment.
This shift in mindset—from avoiding errors and feedback to actively embracing them—transforms potential into performance. It empowers us and our teams to learn faster, become resilient, and foster a culture where growth becomes a collective habit.