Giving Feedback Shouldn’t Be This Hard, But It Is.
Most leaders think feedback is about performance. The best leaders know it’s about trust, growth, and influence.
When feedback is intentional, timely, and aligned with purpose, it doesn’t just correct behavior, it builds culture, strengthens relationships, and transforms potential into performance. But when feedback is avoided, vague, or reactive, it becomes a leadership blind spot that costs far more than missed KPIs.
If you're ready to move beyond surface-level conversations and start leading with clarity and impact, it begins with how you give feedback.
Here’s what great leaders know:
Feedback should never be a surprise.
It must be clear, purposeful, and anchored in growth.
It’s not a monologue, it’s a trust-building dialogue.
Refining your practice in giving feedback is a powerful way to elevate your leadership presence.
Lead with purpose and context: Anchor feedback in the bigger picture, why it matters for the individual, the team, and the organization.
Be clear, direct, and behavior-focused: Speak to observable actions, not assumptions or character. Vague feedback erodes clarity and accountability.
Create psychological safety through trust and transparency: Lead with the why. When people understand the purpose behind the feedback, they’re more open to it. Clarity builds trust.
Focus on future potential, not just mistakes: Use feedback to paint a vision of what’s possible, not just what went wrong.
Invite ownership through open dialogue, not directives: Feedback should be a two-way conversation. Ask for their input and co-create a path forward.
Turn mistakes into momentum: Reframe errors as learning opportunities. Feedback should cultivate growth, not fear. The best leaders empower others to reflect, reset, and rise stronger.
Giving Feedback with Impact
Use this to prepare for your next conversation:
Start with Purpose: "I’m sharing this because your growth and impact matter to our success."
Be Clear and Specific: "Here’s what I observed… [insert behavior or situation]."
Connect to Impact: "Here’s how it’s affecting the team/project/goal…"
Offer a Forward Path: "Here’s what would make a difference going forward…"
Invite Open Dialogue: "How does this land with you? What are your thoughts?”
Feedback done well isn’t just guidance, it’s a catalyst for transformation.
How you deliver it says everything about the leader you are and the culture you’re shaping.
What’s one feedback habit you're ready to elevate?
“The most courageous act of leadership is offering honest feedback with compassion—because it builds trust faster than praise ever could.”
Resources to Dive Deeper
Ready to ditch the "check-out" mentality and embrace true delegation? Here are some resources to fuel your journey:
Books
Radical Candor by Kim Scott: A must-read guide on how to care personally and challenge directly—offering clear, candid feedback while building strong relationships.
Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen: This book flips the script—focusing on how to receive feedback well, even when it’s poorly delivered.
The Coaching Habit by Michael Bungay Stanier: A practical toolkit for leaders to ask better questions and make feedback a daily coaching habit.
Podcasts
The Look & Sound of Leadership by Tom Henschel: Bite-sized episodes with tactical advice on giving feedback, executive presence, and leadership communication.
Dare to Lead – “Armored vs. Daring Leadership” with Brené Brown: Explores the role of vulnerability and trust in delivering feedback that actually lands.
Articles
How to Give Feedback People Can Actually Use – Harvard Business Review: Explains the difference between vague and actionable feedback—and how to avoid common pitfalls.
Why Every Leader Should Read The Artist’s Way
This month’s leadership book pick is The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron an unconventional yet powerful guide for any leader looking to unlock creativity, clarity, and authentic vision. Leadership isn’t just strategy, it’s art.
This book helps you reconnect with your inner voice, overcome self-doubt, and cultivate the kind of creative resilience today’s world demands. Whether you lead teams, projects, or yourself, The Artist’s Way offers a path to deeper insight and inspired action.
Consider how many different pieces of content you see in any given week. See something that resonates with you? Share it with us to feature it in our Social Media of the Week section.
“Average leaders raise the bar for themselves; great leaders raise the bar through others—by offering feedback that fuels growth, not fear.”
— Leadership Mastery Network
