Bad Boss Confessional 05: When Employee Feedback Feels Like a Gut Punch
Aug 20, 2025
Miranda Barrett, founder of Mind the Mic Consulting, shares her tumultuous journey through leadership challenges that tested her confidence. She recounts cringe-worthy onboarding fails and harsh feedback that reshaped her career. Miranda emphasizes the importance of transparency and effective communication while navigating employee dynamics. She also discusses modernizing performance reviews and fostering core values in the workplace. Finally, she reflects on lessons learned from rock climbing about trust and intuition in leadership.
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First Hiring Experience
- Miranda's first boss moment was hiring a coordinator as part of her onboarding checklist despite never having hired before.
- She posted on Craigslist, got lucky, and that hire later followed her to another organization.
Execution Over Coaching
- Miranda admits she's a high-execution, results-oriented leader who doesn't naturally enjoy coaching and chit-chat.
- She recognizes coaching is a learned skill and values collaboration despite preferring project work.
Resignation That Broke Trust
- Miranda described hiring a trusted, high-achieving mid-level manager who later resigned unexpectedly during major reorganization.
- The exit interview described Miranda as 'unethical,' which hit her deeply because integrity is a core value.
