There is an old saying: When you’re green, you grow, and when you’re ripe, you rot.
I have been thinking about that a lot lately because I am preparing for a mainstage appearance at my professional speakers association’s annual convention. I will be appearing with three other speakers, and I want to make every minute I have on that stage count.
I have been speaking professionally for years. I have earned my Certified Speaking Professional designation, and I have been inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame. And yet, I am still practicing.
In fact, practicing with other Hall of Fame speakers has been instrumental in helping me strengthen this presentation. I also had the opportunity to practice with one of our association’s divisions while I was in Paris. Each time I practiced, I received coaching. Each time, I received feedback. And each time, I made changes.
Why? Because you are never quite done with your craft.
It would be easy for me to think, “I have been doing this for years. I know what I’m doing.” And yes, experience matters. Experience gives you confidence, perspective, instincts, and knowledge that cannot be developed overnight.
But experience can also become a trap if it makes you stop listening, stop learning, or stop being willing to change.
The best professionals I know are not the ones who believe they have arrived. They are the ones who remain curious. They continue to ask, “What am I not seeing? What could be stronger? What should I cut? Where am I losing the audience?”
These are not questions people ask because they lack confidence. These are questions professionals ask because they care about their craft and are committed to making it better.
There is a big difference between being confident and being complacent. Confidence says, “I know I can do this.” Complacency says, “I do not need anyone else’s perspective.”
One helps you grow. The other keeps you stuck.
Staying open to feedback does not mean you have to accept every piece of advice you receive. Trust me, there is plenty of unsolicited advice out there. Not every suggestion will fit your goals, your message, your audience, or your style.
Being coachable does not mean blindly following every recommendation. It means staying open enough to consider what someone is saying. It means listening before you become defensive. It means asking yourself whether there is something useful inside the feedback, even when you do not agree with every word.
Coaching is not criticism of who you are. It is an investment in who you can become.
Sometimes the people who are best at what they do are the ones most willing to let someone else hold up a mirror. That mirror may reveal something they cannot see for themselves. It may show them a moment that needs more clarity, a story that needs to be shortened, or an idea that is not connecting with the audience in the way they intended.
Having someone hold up that mirror can be uncomfortable. But growth rarely happens when we are busy protecting our comfort.
I know I will be a better speaker when I step onto that mainstage because of the practice, coaching, and feedback I received. The people who coached me helped me see what was not working. They helped me see what I could not see on my own. They challenged me to strengthen my message, sharpen my delivery, and make every moment on that stage more meaningful.
They also reminded me of something important. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame does not mean you stop improving. It means you have an even greater responsibility to keep growing.
Recognition is not permission to become comfortable. Success is not a finish line. Expertise does not make coaching unnecessary.
In fact, the more responsibility, experience, and influence you have, the more important it becomes to surround yourself with people who are willing to tell you the truth.
This lesson is not only for professional speakers. It applies to leadership, business, relationships, communication, sales, writing, athletics, and almost every area of life.
Where in your life have you become a little too comfortable? Where have you stopped asking for feedback? Where are you defending your experience instead of developing your potential?
You may be highly accomplished and still have room to grow. You may be respected in your field and still benefit from coaching. You may be the person everyone else comes to for advice and still need someone who will challenge you.
That does not diminish your expertise. It strengthens it.
I invite you to stay green, stay curious, and stay coachable. The moment you decide you have nothing left to learn may be the moment you begin to lose the very thing that made you successful.
So remember, when you’re green, you grow, and when you’re ripe, you rot.
This week, invite someone you trust to give you honest feedback. Listen without defending. Consider without dismissing. Then use what serves you to move one row closer to your Front-Row.
Because you are never finished developing your craft, and the best professionals never stop growing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “when you’re green, you grow” mean?
“When you’re green, you grow” means that people continue developing when they remain curious, humble, and open to learning. Being green does not mean being inexperienced. It means being willing to grow. When someone believes they already know everything they need to know, they risk becoming complacent and stagnant.
Why do experienced professionals still need coaching?
Experienced professionals can develop habits and blind spots that are difficult to recognize on their own. A coach, colleague, mentor, or trusted peer can provide an outside perspective and identify opportunities to make their work clearer, stronger, and more effective.
Does being coachable mean accepting every suggestion?
No. Being coachable means listening openly and thoughtfully considering the feedback you receive. You can then decide whether the advice supports your goals, values, audience, and personal style.
How can leaders remain open to feedback?
Leaders can remain open to feedback by asking specific questions, listening without interrupting, resisting the urge to defend themselves, and thanking people who are willing to provide honest input. It also helps to focus on what can be learned rather than how the feedback was delivered.
What is the difference between confidence and complacency?
Confidence is trusting your abilities while remaining willing to learn. Complacency is assuming that past success means you no longer need preparation, practice, feedback, or improvement.
How can I ask for more useful feedback?
Instead of asking someone, “What did you think?” ask a more specific question. You might ask, “Where did I lose your attention?” “What could be clearer?” “What should I cut?” or “What is one thing that would make this stronger?”
Your Head Usher,
Marilyn
