EPISODE 20 — Feedback Is Personal

Arc: It’s All Personal

If the word “feedback” makes people in your company brace for impact, you’ve got a problem.

When it’s done right, feedback builds trust, strengthens relationships, and accelerates growth.

When it’s done wrong — or not at all — it breeds confusion, resentment, and missed opportunities.

In this episode, James reframes the f-word so it stops being something people fear and starts being something they value.

If you’re a founder leading a growing team, this episode will help you strip away the formality, make feedback normal, and turn it into a tool for clarity and connection.

Takeaways:

• The f-word isn’t just about performance — it’s about relationship.
• Most leaders have never been trained to give it well — and even fewer have been trained to receive it.
• The difference between advice and helpful feedback is whether it’s about you or them.
• Making it normal means saying it in the moment, not saving it for special occasions.

Practical Application:

1. Ban the word “feedback” this week. Call it the f-word. Use phrases like “Let’s make this stronger” or “Here’s something I noticed” instead.
2. Run a 15-minute huddle where each person shares how they like to get the f-word. Go first — model it.

Reflection Questions (in episode)

• When was the last time you got the f-word in a way that helped you do better work?
• How often are you giving it — and how often are you asking for it?
• If your team avoids it with you, what does that say about your leadership?

Bonus Reflection Questions (for those who want to go deeper):

• Where in your leadership have you been avoiding the f-word entirely?
• If your team could say one thing to you without fear, what would it be?
• When you receive feedback, what’s your first internal reaction — and what does that reveal about your openness to growth?

Links and Resources:

The right question changes everything. Grab the free Next Question Guide → NextQuestionGuide.com

Connect with James on LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/jamesmayhew

Learn more at → JamesMayhew.com