📥Download the Blog Summary & Contact Details: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/Linda-Murray-Feedback/

Most CEOs think they're giving helpful feedback. But in this episode, leadership expert Linda Murray reveals a tough truth: the problem isn’t what you say -it’s when and how you finally say it. This isn’t about better HR policy. It’s about creating cultures where courageous conversations fuel performance.

If you're a founder, CEO, or exec of a growing business, you already know: performance conversations are some of the most uncomfortable -and most essential -moments in leadership. But too often, these conversations happen late, badly, or not at all. And when they do? They confuse rather than clarify. They can also lead you to FairWork!

In this deeply insightful and practical episode, Linda Murray - executive coach to hundreds of senior leaders - breaks down why performance conversations fail, and how you can build a culture where feedback becomes growth, not grief.

What You’ll Learn:

= Why silence is not kind -it’s unclear (and unkind)

= How to ditch the feedback sandwich and use "feed forward" instead

= What great leaders do to build psychological safety and trust

= The 3+1 method that makes feedback part of daily culture

= How to lead tough conversations without losing your humanity

Episode Highlights:

00:00 – The Pitfalls of Telling vs. Teaching

03:17 – The Fear of Performance Conversations

04:43 – New Hires & The Probation Mistake

06:51 – The Feedback Sandwich: Why It Fails

13:32 – Building Psychological Safety with FAIR

18:32 – Creating a No Surprises Culture

23:45 – Making Feedback a Daily Habit

24:24 – How to Use “Three Plus One”

26:03 – Frequency Beats Formality

27:18 – Self-Reflection for Leaders

28:18 – Leading Through Underperformance

32:12 – Step Back: The Grandstand Perspective

33:53 – The Hardest Feedback Linda Ever Received

44:23 – The CriticalFewActions for Every CEO

Sponsor

This episode is sponsored by the CEO Masterclass in Strategic Planning & Implementation. Join high-performing CEOs focused on building strategy and implementation capability. https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/ceo-masterclass/

📌 Subscribe | 🔁 Share | 💬 Comment

 Please help me support more business leaders committed to doing the hard work that matters.

Follow John Downes on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=jdownes

Get access to exclusive #CriticalFewActions™ content here: https://www.criticalfewactions.com.au/podcast/

𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆’𝘀 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗲, 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀:

Start the conversation. Don’t wait for the perfect words. Don’t wait for a crisis. Performance conversations should be frequent, forward-focused, and kind through clarity.

Want help creating a culture where feedback is safe, effective, and part of your daily rhythm?

𝑷𝑺::

If you avoid the conversation, you avoid the growth. Linda reminds us that feedback isn't a confrontation -it's an investment. Clarity is the kindest thing you can give your team.

#CriticalFewActions #CEOMasterclass #LeadershipDevelopment #PsychologicalSafety #ExecutiveCoaching #MediumBusiness #PerformanceCulture #FeedForward #CourageousConversations #LeadershipMindset #PeopleAndCulture #FeedbackNotFear