We’ve all been there.  Someone tells us something and we cringe a little because we didn’t want to hear it . . . but we needed to.  In this post we are going to look at a key leadership concept that often gets overlooked or avoided: feedback. Whether we like it or not, feedback is an essential part of leadership. Without it, we don’t truly know how we’re doing.

Think about using a microphone—if you’ve ever stood too close to the speakers, you know what happens. That loud, painful screech is feedback. It’s uncomfortable, yes—but it tells you something important: you’re standing in the wrong spot! Feedback in leadership works the same way. It gives us direction. It shows us where we’re standing—and sometimes, where not to stand.

In the book Thanks for the Feedback, Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen define feedback as “information about yourself.” Just like the screech of a microphone reveals something about your position, personal and professional feedback reveals how we’re showing up in our relationships, our teams, and our leadership roles.

But here’s the challenge: feedback is often uncomfortable. We don’t always want to hear it. Still, within feedback lies great fortune. Let’s unpack four ways feedback helps us become better leaders:

Feedback Gives Us a Realistic Perspective

As leaders, we often operate at 30,000 feet—strategizing, planning, vision-casting. But sometimes, we lose sight of what’s happening on the ground. We might think things are going great, while in reality, the wheels are falling off. Feedback from team members, stakeholders, or even friends can bring us back to reality. It helps us see the full picture—not just what we think is happening.

Feedback Answers: “What’s It Like on the Other Side of Me?”

This question—“What’s it like on the other side of me?”—can be a powerful one. A young leader once asked me that, and I was impressed by their maturity. I gave them honest, caring feedback. It helped them see how their leadership style was affecting others.

If you’re brave enough, ask that question to your team, your peers, or even your family. I get plenty of unsolicited feedback from my own family, and while it can be humbling, it’s incredibly valuable. It helps me show up better—not just as a leader, but as a person.

Feedback Reveals Blind Spots

We all have blind spots. You might be a highly driven leader who gets results, but are you unintentionally steamrolling your team in the process? Are people around you afraid to speak up? If so, that’s a blind spot—and feedback is the only way to uncover it. Without awareness, you can’t adjust. With awareness, you can grow.

Feedback Helps Us Grow

John Maxwell talks about the “Law of the Lid” in The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. He says your leadership ability is the lid on your effectiveness. You can’t rise above that lid—unless you intentionally grow. Feedback lifts the lid by helping you recognize what’s holding you back. It’s the fuel for leadership development.

So, where do you need to grow? Which of these areas hit home? Take time to ask for feedback—and be ready to receive it. It might be uncomfortable, but it’s the path to growth and more effective leadership.  Do you need someone to be a sounding board to help you think into your leadership?  Contact me for a complimentary powerful coaching session to help you grow.  Take the next step to improve your feedback and lead well!

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