The Feedback Loop: How Honest Critique Can Skyrocket Your Executive Presence
Why most leaders miss out on feedback and how you can harness it for unstoppable growth.
Imagine trying to improve your leadership presence without a mirror. That’s what it’s like to lead without honest feedback.
Feedback on executive presence is often missing because it touches on sensitive areas like appearance and communication. Fear of offending or legal repercussions leads many to stay silent. This is particularly true for women and minorities, who receive less constructive critique due to bias and caution.
Effective feedback is timely, specific, and focused on behaviors rather than personality. For example, instead of vague comments, clear suggestions like 'maintain eye contact to engage your audience' provide actionable pathways for improvement.
Proactively seeking feedback from mentors, sponsors, and coaches creates a culture of growth. Receiving critique with openness and resilience is equally vital.
Giving feedback requires empathy and tact, balancing positives with areas for growth to foster trust and openness.
Feedback is both a mirror and a map—it reveals your current presence and guides your development.
Leaders who embrace feedback accelerate their growth and deepen their impact.
Next, we’ll explore the unique challenges women and minorities face in balancing authenticity and conformity on their leadership journey.
Sources: Blinkist Summary, LinkedIn Book Review, SoBrief Insights 2 1 4
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