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Welcome back to House of Leadership. We explore what it really takes to grow and lead successfully in a fast-paced, high-performance environment. We go beyond metrics to talk about influence, visibility, mindset, and the habits that separate good from great. Whether you're climbing the ladder or helping others do the same, you'll find practical insights to elevate your impact.

👇 What you’ll learn this week:

• Why sugarcoated feedback slows down team growth

• A simple, practical structure for delivering tough feedback

• How to stop dancing around the real issue

• What to say when someone gets defensive or shuts down

• The mindset shift that makes feedback a sign of trust, not failure

• Why clear expectations beat awkward kindness every time

• 🔒 Premium Upgrade: My Tough Talks Toolkit. 6 leadership-tested scripts for:

  • Underperformance

  • Ownership gaps

  • Unclear communication

  • Cross-functional tension

  • Poor behaviour

  • Leadership misalignment

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Most Leaders Don’t Avoid Feedback Because They’re Weak

They avoid it because they’re trying to be decent.

You want to give people time.
You don’t want to be the “bad guy.”
You hope things will sort themselves out.

Here’s what I’ve learned:
Silence doesn’t solve problems, it just pushes them downstream.

When someone isn’t performing, behaving in a way that erodes trust, or failing to meet expectations, avoiding feedback doesn’t protect the relationship. It slowly kills it.

Why Feedback Often Fails

Here’s what I see go wrong most often:

1. Too vague

   “You need to step up more.”
   — Cool… but what exactly should I do differently?

2. Too soft

   “Just something to think about…”
   — So… is this serious? Or just a suggestion?

3. Too late

   “This has been going on for a while.”
   — Then why am I just hearing about it now?

4. Too personal

   “You’re not a team player.”
   — That’s an identity attack, not useful feedback.

The Feedback Formula I Rely On

You don’t need scripts. You need a structure. Here’s what I use:

1. What I noticed

Stick to facts, not interpretations.

“In yesterday’s meeting, you spoke over two colleagues before they finished making their point.”

2. Why it matters

Connect the dots—why this actually matters.

“When that happens, others feel shut down, and we miss out on good input.”

3. What needs to change

Don’t hint. Say it clearly.

“Next time, I need you to wait until they’ve finished speaking and help create space for others to contribute.”

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What If They Push Back?

Defensiveness is natural. Expect it.

Here’s how to respond without backing down:

Then stop talking.
Let it land.
Silence gives the feedback weight.

A Mindset Shift That Changes Everything

Most people think of feedback as correction. But feedback, when delivered well, is investment.

You don’t give real feedback to people you’ve given up on.
You give it to people you believe in.

The difference between average and high-performing teams? Leaders who say the thing others avoid.

Want the exact words?

If you know a conversation is coming, and you're already playing it out in your head, this is where the premium section will help.

🔒 Premium Readers: Tough Talks Toolkit

6 proven scripts for the feedback you’re avoiding — but need to give:

• Underperformance
  “You’re not meeting expectations. Let’s dig in and course-correct.”

• Dropped balls
  “This slipped — and I found out too late. That can’t happen again.”

• Unclear comms
  “Your updates confuse. Let’s tighten message and ownership.”

• Team friction
  “Cross-functional tension is building. We need a reset.”

• Poor tone
  “That came off dismissive. It’s not how we lead here.”

• Leadership miss
  “That move hurt trust. Let’s realign.”

👉 Go Premium with 20% off 

You’ve read the free stuff—now unlock the tools that actually move the needle. From plug-and-play talk tracks to proven leadership templates, this is the edge your peers wish they had. Upgrade now and lead with confidence, clarity, and calm—every single week.

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A subscription gets you:

• • Plug-and-play talk tracks - Get word-for-word scripts for handling tough conversations, performance reviews, and escalation calls—so you never freeze or fumble.
• • Confidence boosters before key moments - Quick-read mindset resets and one-liners to ground you before team meetings, 1:1s, or presentations.
• • Proven leadership templates - Use battle-tested coaching plans, escalation frameworks, and team comms templates that save you hours and build trust fast.
• • Messaging that lands - Learn how to say what you mean with clarity and confidence—whether you’re giving tough feedback or rallying a demotivated team.
• • Creative engagement ideas - Inject energy into your team with easy-to-steal ideas for engagement, recognition, and alignment—even when morale is low.