Do you remember the last time you asked your people to rate their happiness with their job on a scale of 1 to 10?
If they answered 8, 9, or 10, congratulations, they’re probably loving what they do.
But what if they answered 7?
Well, here's a little secret.
7 is a lazy and unhelpful rating.
7 is the silent killer of honest feedback and clear communication.
An easy answer, because it’s comfortable.
And that's where the trouble begins.
People typically pick 7 when they're feeling 'meh' about something.
It's their non-committal response, sort of "Let me think about it" without saying 'no' outright.
Say ‘no' to 7.
Yes, you heard it right.
No sevens allowed.
Think about it – when you remove that devious seven, you force people to make a real choice.
You either get a 6, and it's safe to say they're not exactly singing "Kumbaya" in the office hallways, or an 8, a hearty endorsement.
Let’s bring this down to earth with a concrete example.
Imagine you're in sales, eagerly awaiting a client's response to your proposal.
You ask, 'From 1 to 10, how happy are you? But remember, you can't say 7.'
This simple twist transforms a vague 'meh' into a clear indicator.
Eliminating 7 brings clarity.
When crafting surveys or feedback forms, prompt respondents with 'On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your satisfaction with our service. No 7 allowed.' and watch as honest feedback flows in.
This mindset shift can help you rethink the decisions you are making in your everyday life.
Think about the last decision you made —accepting an invitation to the event, job offer, vacation—was it a 6 or an 8?
In a world where 'meh' doesn't cut it, choose either 6 or 8.
Your decisions, big or small, will thank you.
If you're not receiving the honest feedback that you desire and you believe it's due to your surveys, if you do nothing nothing changes.
Just as Newton's first law states, an object at rest stays at rest.
Break free from 'rest'—say no to 7 and move towards clarity.
Repeat after me…
How happy are you with this advice?
Remember, you can't say 7.
What decisions in your life deserve a strong 8 or a bold 6?
Let me know.
PS. Do you struggle to set yourself apart from your competitors? Does your tone of voice lack a little personality? Either way, get in touch and I’ll help you become remarkable. Or get more communication advice that doesn't suck here.
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