Giving and receiving feedback is one of the most critical yet difficult skills in leadership. Many leaders avoid giving honest feedback, and even more struggle to receive it without defensiveness. But what if feedback didn’t have to feel so uncomfortable?

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Joe Hirsch, a communication expert, speaker, and author of The Feedback Fix. Joe introduces his Feed Forward approach—transforming feedback from a dreaded conversation into a tool for growth. He shares strategies on how to foster a feedback culture, filter out bad feedback, and turn tough conversations into learning moments.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why leaders struggle with giving and receiving feedback
• How to shift feedback conversations from blame to partnership
•  The science behind why feedback triggers defensiveness
• How to ask for better feedback and become a feedback magnet
• The Feed Forward approach to make feedback feel empowering, not punishing

Timestamps:

00:01 – Introduction to Joe Hirsch

01:07 – Why Feedback is Hard (But Necessary)

03:56 – Becoming a Feedback Magnet

05:39 – Joe’s Personal Story: Why Feedback Became His Life’s Work

09:25 – What is Feed Forward?

11:44 – How to Deliver Feedback Without Causing Defensiveness

16:13 – What to Do When People Resist Feedback

18:12 – Creating a Feedback Culture in Teams

20:07 – How to Normalize Feedback in the Workplace

24:12 – The Neuroscience of Learning from Mistakes

28:24 – How to Filter Good vs. Bad Feedback

32:21 – The Danger of Asking Too Many People for Feedback

35:31 – What to Do When Feedback Hurts

39:48 – How to Apply Feedback Effectively

41:25 – The Role of AI in Feedback

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• The Feedback Fix by Joe Hirsch – Amazon Link
•  Joe Hirsch’s Website – https://www.joehirsch.me
•  Marshall Goldsmith (Author of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There) – Website
•  Amy Edmondson on Intelligent Failure – Harvard Business Review
• The Fearless Organization by Amy Edmondson – Amazon Link

Podcast Contact Information:

Website: www.learnit.com  

Email: podcast@learnit.com  

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