Creating a Culture Where Feedback Can Thrive
I'm curious:
What's one thing a leader has said to you, whether praise or constructive criticism, that helped you grow professionally?
One of the most valuable lessons I've learned as a leader is that feedback is only as powerful as the culture surrounding it.
Too often, feedback becomes something people fear rather than something they value.
In Chapter 6 of Radical Candor, Kim Scott argues that effective leadership requires more than giving feedback. It requires creating an environment where honest feedback flows in every direction.
That starts with us.
As leaders, we often focus on how to give feedback, but we spend less time thinking about how we receive it.
One question from the book stood out to me:
"What could I do or stop doing to make your job easier?"
It's a simple question, but it sends a powerful message:
I don't have all the answers.
I'm willing to learn.
Your perspective matters.
I've found that when leaders consistently ask for feedback, and genuinely listen without becoming defensive...they build trust. And once trust is established, difficult conversations become easier because people know the feedback is coming from a place of support, not judgment.
The best leaders don't save feedback for formal evaluations. They make guidance part of everyday conversations.
Praise what is working, address what isn't, and do both with sincerity, humility, and a genuine desire to help others grow.
Because at its core, leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about creating a culture where people feel safe enough to tell the truth, learn from mistakes, and become better together.
