What if the reason you keep avoiding a difficult conversation has less to do with courage and more to do with your why? In this episode, I’m breaking down why leaders often disguise self-protection as logical reasons for delaying tough feedback, and how to recognize when discomfort (not timing, relevance, or uncertainty) is really what’s holding you back. You’ll learn how to uncover a compelling reason for having the conversation, separate genuine concerns from excuses, and connect feedback to the growth and development of the person receiving it.
Listen in to hear how to make tough feedback a normal part of leadership rather than a monumental event. I also offer practical ways to build feedback into regular one-on-ones, make it more frequent and honest, and turn it into a two-way conversation. Most importantly, you’ll come away understanding why effective feedback isn’t about becoming a different kind of leader, but about becoming more comfortable with helping your people grow.
What You’ll Learn In Today’s Episode:
- Why leaders avoid difficult feedback.
- How self-protection disguises itself as logic.
- How to identify your real reason for avoiding feedback.
- Why your “why” must beat your “why not.”
- How to ask employees how they prefer feedback.
- How a thought download can uncover your why.
- Why employee growth should shape your feedback.
- How to build feedback into one-on-ones.
- Why frequent feedback makes tough conversations easier.
- How to make feedback honest and two-way.
Ideas Worth Sharing:
“Until your why is stronger than the why not, the avoidance is going to win every single time.” – Elisia Keown Share on X “You cannot manufacture a why. You can only uncover a why that is already true.” – Elisia Keown Share on X “When we are transparent in a non-harmful way, if we can be clear and transparent, that actually is more kind to the human rather than being fake and false and holding back information that can be useful to them.” – Elisia Keown Share on XResources In Today’s Episode:
- Elisia Keown: LinkedIn | Instagram | Email: elisia@elisiakeowncoaching.com
- Contact Elisia
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