Test Them — The Point

It was hard for me to tell if the people closest to me were truly good or bad for me.

Often, I didn’t have great reference points.

But when I started to pursue greater ambitions, those ambitions began to expose the lack thereof in others.

“Crabs in a bucket.”

“Misery loves company.”

Clichés are clichés for a reason.

And as an entrepreneur, I began to face rejection time and again — it comes with the job.

But it helps immensely to have people in my corner that I can can trust.

Enemies were easy to spot, they usually announced themselves proudly with their behavior.

But the more difficult one to spot was two-faced.

Acting like the “yes-man”* *to my face while “gossiping” behind my back.

And someone could be one type, or one person doing both.

Yes-men don’t seem like a problem but they create echo chambers, affirming your every move without challenging your assumptions, potentially leading you blindly off a cliff.
Gossips in hiding subtly sow doubt behind your back, eroding trust and confidence until hesitation takes root.

And the hard part about discerning between the two:

either type does this unconsciously.

So how do you tell which is which?

Test them

Share your ideas and wins.
What’s their reaction?
It’s hard to conceal a reflexive flash of envy, but a true friend will celebrate your success like their own.

2. Ask for feedback

What’s their response?
A restrained neutral tone and forced politeness, might be because they really don’t care about your success.
Instead, honest feedback might bruise your ego, but it will uncover blind spots and make you better.

This isn’t about hunting for flaws or being an absolute pessimist—it’s about confirming suspicions and weeding out detractors.

Soon, you’ll be able to surround yourself with those who both challenge and celebrate you in equal measure.

— And, if you’re wanting to learn more about people, business, or everything in between, find the right book for you on readar.ai

Keep seeking,

Michael

readar.ai