Top 3 biggest business mistakes, here's what I learned about dealing with negativity in projects.

You can't win by arguing or proving you're right.

I had to learn patience. And understand what people are really feeling underneath all the drama.

The key is staying calm and just showing results. When you demonstrate that your approach works, the negativity fades away. No need for direct confrontation.

But here's the thing - you have to actually listen to the other person's point of view. Even when it sounds completely wrong at first. This approach turns difficult situations into opportunities.

And over time, these tough moments can actually strengthen relationships. Sometimes they even lead to new business.

The second big mistake was not matching our solutions to where companies actually were in their growth.

I used to work with companies that were too small. They weren't ready for what we were offering - not from a technology standpoint, not organizationally.

These companies couldn't really use our technologies because of their size and maturity level. It led to losses that lasted for years.

Timing matters. Rolling out advanced tech too early doesn't deliver the results you expect. You need solutions that match where the company is in their growth stage.

The third mistake was tolerating mediocrity. And this one really hurt.

In our consulting business, especially IT, the people working directly with clients need to be sharp. They need to move fast.

Mediocrity kills you. Poor attention to detail, average skills, not caring enough - these problems get worse over time, not better.

I made the mistake of hoping someone would improve. Giving feedback over and over, thinking they'd turn it around.

When you spot mediocrity, act fast. Replace that person with someone who's genuinely excited about the work. Someone who takes ownership and gets things done with enthusiasm.

The biggest mistake is not recognizing mediocrity early enough. And then hoping the person will change after multiple rounds of feedback.

At Customertimes, we focus on hiring exceptional people who are passionate about what they do. That's how we deliver exceptional results and exceed client expectations. It's one of our key advantages.