Fixable Mellody Hobson on taking tough feedback | from ReThinking with Adam Grant
Aug 18, 2025
Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and TED podcast host, chats with Mellody Hobson, co-CEO of Ariel Investments and a trailblazer in finance. They dive into the art of receiving tough feedback and the transformative power it holds for personal growth. Mellody shares her journey overcoming financial insecurity, highlighting how feedback shaped her career. The duo emphasizes emotional resilience, the importance of honest communication, and the necessity of supporting authenticity in leadership, particularly for underrepresented voices in the workplace.
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Treat Feedback As A Gift
- Treat feedback as a gift and be willing to receive it from anyone regardless of liking them.
- Track repetitive criticisms and act when the same theme appears multiple times.
Bill Bradley's 'Ball Hog' Moment
- Bill Bradley told Mellody she could be a "ball hog," which surprised and upset her initially.
- She quieted her emotions, reflected, and then changed her behavior by asking others more questions.
Separate Tone From Truth
- Separate how feedback is delivered from whether it contains truth and look for grains of truth.
- Divorce the tone from the content and solve for the valid objections raised.