The Confidence Paradox
People usually think: confident people don't need feedback. They already believe in themselves.
It's actually backwards. The most confident people are usually the best at receiving feedback. Because they're not defending their identity. They're curious about the data.
Why Most People Get Worse at This
When you're junior, you get feedback constantly. You expect it. You need it. Then you move up. Feedback becomes rarer. People are more careful. Before long, you're surrounded by people who won't tell you the truth.
And your growth stops. Not because you stopped being capable. Because you lost the feedback loop that was teaching you.
Staying Open
The people who stay sharp are the ones who actively ask for feedback. Who create space for people to tell them what they actually think. Who make it safe for that feedback by not getting defensive when they hear it.
That's the skill that keeps you growing instead of coasting.