The Leadership Crucible Podcast How To Build A Feedback Culture That Actually Works | Margie Mauldin, President of Executive Forum
Aug 5, 2025
38:48
Great leaders don’t just give feedback—they model it. And in a culture where trust is eroding, avoidance is normalized, and conflict is feared, feedback may be one of the most urgent leadership tools we have.
In this episode, Chief Randy Bruegman sits down with Margie Mauldin, bestselling author of Feedback Revolution and founder of Executive Forum, to unpack how feedback done right can shape culture, unlock growth, and define legacy. With over 30 years of experience coaching leaders across corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, Margie shares how feedback can move from fear to focus—and why most leaders wait too long to say what needs to be said.
You’ll hear how a fractured business relationship led her to take a bold leap of ownership, how Stephen Covey mentored her through her early years, and how one conversation with her son changed the trajectory of her career. She unpacks the difference between motivation and ability, the role of emotional preparation in giving feedback, and why ego and time are the two biggest enemies of honest communication.This conversation is more than professional development—it’s a personal challenge. Whether you lead a city department or a startup team, Margie’s clarity and conviction will help you build the kind of culture people want to be part of—and grow in.
ABOUT MARGIE:
Marjorie (Margie) Mauldin, Executive Forum’s owner and president, is an energetic and creative leader. In the past 30 years, Margie has earned the trust of the Denver business community as an entrepreneur and successful business owner. She effectively manages Executive Forum’s global client list that includes a variety of compelling projects such as strategic planning for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Colorado and Arizona state departments of transportation and iLoveFeedback® certification and training for IHS Markit, Pinal County (AZ), City & County of Denver, Arapahoe County (CO), Riverside County (CA), State of Michigan, University of Alberta (CAN), South Metro Fire Rescue Authority, City of Aurora, Department of the Army, Department of Housing and Urban Development, the National Parks Service and Comcast. Presentations include the 2014 Correctional Accreditation Manager’s Association, 2015 NeighborWorks Training Institute, 2016 ATD International Training Conference and Expo, 2017 International Brain Summit, the 2017 and 2018 Rocky Mountain Project Management Symposium, 2018 National Organization of Trusted Advisors and the 2019 Strategic Government Resources Servant Leadership Conference. Scheduled presentations include the 2019 Western Region IPMA-HR Annual Conference and the 2019 COSHRM State Conference. Margie’s best-selling book, Feedback Revolution: Building Relationships & Boosting Results, now in its second printing, focuses on organizational culture, performance review systems, employee engagement, communication and accountability.
LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:
- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@theleadershipcrucible)
- Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/5f2mxvfj)
- Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/5xvp5wyu)
LINKS & RESOURCES:
- Executive Forum (https://executiveforum.net/)
- Feedback Revolution Book (https://tinyurl.com/yc76ew6w)
CONNECT WITH US:
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Web (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theleadershipcruciblefoundation)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-leadership-crucible-foundation/)
- Chief Bruegman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/chiefbruegman)
- Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/leaders-of-tomorrow-podcast)
In this episode, Chief Randy Bruegman sits down with Margie Mauldin, bestselling author of Feedback Revolution and founder of Executive Forum, to unpack how feedback done right can shape culture, unlock growth, and define legacy. With over 30 years of experience coaching leaders across corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors, Margie shares how feedback can move from fear to focus—and why most leaders wait too long to say what needs to be said.
You’ll hear how a fractured business relationship led her to take a bold leap of ownership, how Stephen Covey mentored her through her early years, and how one conversation with her son changed the trajectory of her career. She unpacks the difference between motivation and ability, the role of emotional preparation in giving feedback, and why ego and time are the two biggest enemies of honest communication.This conversation is more than professional development—it’s a personal challenge. Whether you lead a city department or a startup team, Margie’s clarity and conviction will help you build the kind of culture people want to be part of—and grow in.
ABOUT MARGIE:
Marjorie (Margie) Mauldin, Executive Forum’s owner and president, is an energetic and creative leader. In the past 30 years, Margie has earned the trust of the Denver business community as an entrepreneur and successful business owner. She effectively manages Executive Forum’s global client list that includes a variety of compelling projects such as strategic planning for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Colorado and Arizona state departments of transportation and iLoveFeedback® certification and training for IHS Markit, Pinal County (AZ), City & County of Denver, Arapahoe County (CO), Riverside County (CA), State of Michigan, University of Alberta (CAN), South Metro Fire Rescue Authority, City of Aurora, Department of the Army, Department of Housing and Urban Development, the National Parks Service and Comcast. Presentations include the 2014 Correctional Accreditation Manager’s Association, 2015 NeighborWorks Training Institute, 2016 ATD International Training Conference and Expo, 2017 International Brain Summit, the 2017 and 2018 Rocky Mountain Project Management Symposium, 2018 National Organization of Trusted Advisors and the 2019 Strategic Government Resources Servant Leadership Conference. Scheduled presentations include the 2019 Western Region IPMA-HR Annual Conference and the 2019 COSHRM State Conference. Margie’s best-selling book, Feedback Revolution: Building Relationships & Boosting Results, now in its second printing, focuses on organizational culture, performance review systems, employee engagement, communication and accountability.
LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE:
- YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@theleadershipcrucible)
- Apple Podcasts (https://tinyurl.com/5f2mxvfj)
- Spotify (https://tinyurl.com/5xvp5wyu)
LINKS & RESOURCES:
- Executive Forum (https://executiveforum.net/)
- Feedback Revolution Book (https://tinyurl.com/yc76ew6w)
CONNECT WITH US:
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Web (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/theleadershipcruciblefoundation)
- The Leadership Crucible Foundation | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-leadership-crucible-foundation/)
- Chief Bruegman | Instagram (https://instagram.com/chiefbruegman)
- Leaders of Tomorrow Podcast (https://www.theleadershipcruciblefoundation.org/leaders-of-tomorrow-podcast)