They Asked. We Told Them. Things Changed.
Why honest, well-structured feedback still matters more than people think
The other day, a company asked us a simple but uncomfortable question:
“Why are we struggling to attract and retain the right sales talent?”
We didn’t complain.
We didn’t posture.
We gave them the truth.
Below-market compensation.
Onsite requirements for a role that could easily be done remotely.
That combination is a magnet for friction—and a repellent for top performers.
What surprised me wasn’t the feedback itself. It was what happened next.
They listened.
Too often in recruiting, we work with companies that hold rigid requirements with zero appetite to adjust them. We’re expected to “just make it work.” Find the unicorn. Sell the role harder. Lower expectations quietly.
This time was different.
They genuinely wanted to understand the problem. We shared data, told a clear story, and gave real examples from the market. No drama. No blame. Just reality.
And they acknowledged it: something has to change.
I don’t know exactly what they’ll do yet—but the door is open. And that’s the whole point.
Here’s the takeaway:
When feedback is grounded in data, framed as a story, and delivered with respect, people do listen. Even when you think they won’t.
So if you’re holding back because “they’ll never change anyway,” consider this your nudge.
When someone asks—shoot them straight.
It doesn’t always have to be hard.