you!

Years ago, I learned something about feedback that gave me a real “aha, I knew it!” moment.

When someone says “Can I give you some feedback?” the same part of the brain lights up as when we hear footsteps in a dark alley. Our brain registers it as a threat!

(This was thanks to fMRI technology which allowed neuroscientists to see which parts of the brain are activated in real time.)

Credit: Matthew Glasser, Ph.D., and David Van Essen, Ph.D., Washington University

And yet feedback is the most powerful lever you have for building your company.

The problem isn’t feedback, in and of itself — most of us actually crave it. It’s how we’ve been taught to give it:

We only say something when things goes wrong.

We wait for the quarterly performance review.

We use the “feedback sandwich” — praise, criticism, praise — which everyone can see coming a mile away.

So how do you get it right? This post from Libby Leffler made my day — it reinforced how powerful (and simple) feedback can be:

One specific observation. No judgment. Just: I saw you do that. It was great. Keep going. That’s it. And yet, Libby still thinks about those emails years later.

This is exactly what I talk about in my latest video: the mirror approach to feedback, and how it produces a 39% boost in performance.

Plus, when you do have to give critical feedback, a reframe that makes it easier — and more likely to actually change behavior.

📹 Watch it here → How the Best Founders Give Feedback (give it a 👍🏻 and comment!)

Rooting for you,

Renita

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When you’re ready to level up as a leader, here’s how I can help:

👉🏻 Follow me on Linkedin for insights during the week here.

👉🏻 Find out your Founder EQ with this 5 minute quiz: The Founder EQ Scorecard

👉🏻 Work with me for 1:1 Founder Coaching. Schedule a call to get acquainted here and let’s see if we’re a good fit.