070 | Why Giving Feedback Isn't Mean, It Makes You a Great Leader

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If giving feedback makes you feel like the bad guy… let me ask you this: when was the last time silence got you the result you actually wanted?

In this quick hit, I’m sharing the story of a client who learned—painfully—that staying quiet to “protect” someone’s feelings can backfire in a big way. And I get it. You built your business on excellence and empathy. But here’s the truth: silence isn’t empathy. It’s sabotage.

I’m here to help you shift your mindset, drop the guilt, and stop cleaning up everyone else’s messes. Because when you avoid feedback, you’re not being kind, you’re avoiding discomfort. And that’s not leadership. That’s self-preservation in a really nice blazer. So if you’re ready to lead with clarity (not chaos), hit play. This one’s short, sharp, and straight to the point.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

• Why silence in leadership isn’t empathy — it’s sabotage.
• How delaying feedback erodes trust more than delivering it ever could.
• A flashlight vs. flamethrower mindset shift that will change the way you lead.
• The surprising truth about what your team really needs from you (hint: not approval).
• How speaking up—awkward or not—builds the kind of respect that lasts.

This episode at a glance:

[2:32] - It wasn’t the truth that hurt her employee. It was the delay in giving it that did.

[3:03] -  Think of feedback like the flashlight, not the flamethrower.

[3:24] - Your team doesn’t need your approval. They need your calibration.

[3:51] - That’s the difference between being liked and being respected.

Resources and links mentioned in this episode:

• Subscribe to the Future of Leadership newsletter on LinkedIn: weekly strategies, stories, and AI tools to help you lead without losing your mind.

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