Link to the Survey: https://tally.so/r/wokjeP“You want to learn Vietnamese? Then today, you’re my cashier.”
My neighbor wasn’t joking.
The next day, I was behind the counter, staring at bags of fertilizer.
A customer rattled off something too fast for me to catch.
I froze.
My neighbor just watched, arms crossed, grinning—she knew I’d figure it out.
That’s why I love this woman. She trusts me, pushes me and helps me grow.
The best relationships do that. They challenge us because they see what we’re capable of - sometimes before we do.
That’s what we’re diving into today: how to build relationships that matter.
And before we jump in, what’s holding you back as a founder?
I’ve been running a survey, and the results have been eye-opening.
If you haven’t added your comments yet, now’s your chance, the link is in the show notes: https://tally.so/r/wokjeP
Let’s get into it.
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1. Avoid destructive Criticism, Condemnation, or Complaints
That day, I messed up plenty: wrong change, misheard orders, probably sold fertilizer to someone who wanted soil. My neighbor? She never criticized me. Not even once.
She let me learn. That’s why I wanted to keep going.
Research from Dr. John Gottman shows criticism kills trust fast. In business and life, encouragement works better.
Actionable Tip: Before giving feedback, highlight something positive. Instead of “This didn’t work,” try “I liked X. What if we tweak Y?” It keeps people open instead of defensive and actually improves results.
Next time you want to correct someone, pause. Can you guide instead? My neighbor did and I didn’t just learn to be a cashier, I learned to build better relationships.
2. Encourage Others to Talk About Themselves
A while back, I met someone building a business solo, grinding non-stop, barely coming up for air. I asked a simple question:
“What’s been the most exciting part lately?”
For the next 20 minutes, she lit up. No pitch, no networking tactics, just a flood of stories about her journey. By the end, she said, “Wow, I didn’t realize how much I needed that.”
Harvard research confirms it, talking about ourselves activates the brain’s reward centers. People walk away from those conversations feeling good and they’ll associate that feeling with you.
Actionable Tip: In your next conversation, resist the urge to match a story with your own. Instead, ask a follow-up: “What happened next?” or “How did that feel?” Watch how much deeper the connection goes.
3. Admit When You Are Wrong, Quickly and Emphatically
I thought my website was solid, until the numbers told me otherwise. Csaba, from "The Managers Guide" featured me in his newsletter, driving solid traffic my way. Thank you my friend! Exciting, right? Except… zero conversions. Not one.
For a second, I wanted to blame the audience, the timing, anything but my site. But the truth was staring me in the face, my landing page sucked. So I admitted it, scrapped my ego and asked for feedback.
The result? A way better site that actually converts.
Psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset shows that people who own their mistakes don’t just learn faster, they gain more trust.
Actionable Tip: When something flops, don’t defend - diagnose. Ask, “What’s one thing I could improve here?” Then fix it.
4. Dramatize Your Ideas to Make Them Memorable
If you just post without engaging, it's like walking into a networking event, shouting your name, and leaving. No one remembers you.
My friend was frustrated—he was posting daily but getting no traction. I told him, “You’re not starting conversations, just making announcements.” That hit home. A few days later, he told me, “I changed how I post, and now people actually respond.”
Cognitive psychology backs this—people remember interactions, not just information.
Actionable Tip: Treat social media like a two-way street. For every post, engage with at least three others. Watch what happens.
5. Throw Down a Challenge
Comfort kills growth. People don’t just meet expectations, they rise to challenges.
This week, my neighbor proved it. She handed me a cashier apron and said, “Try it.” No prep, no warm-up.
Just me, fumbling through transactions in Vietnamese.
Awkward at first, but by the end, I was handling customers with way more confidence.
Dale Carnegie knew this well, competition fuels progress. The American Psychological Association confirms it: people perform better when challenged just beyond their comfort zone.
Actionable Tip: Instead of giving advice, challenge someone. A nudge that makes them think, “Alright, I’ll prove you wrong,” works wonders.
Bringing It All Together
Great relationships push us to grow. My neighbor didn’t just help me practice Vietnamese, she threw me into the deep end, knowing I’d come out stronger.
The best people in our lives do that.
Now, I need your input. The survey shows fear of failure isn’t the biggest founder challenge, scaling and consistency are. But is that the full picture?
Take 30 seconds to add your voice. Your insights will shape what’s next. And if you’ve ever been thrown into the deep end and come out stronger, hit reply, I want to hear about it.
Keep it simple, keep it fresh, smile and let it go.
Yours truly, Trung
