You're Probably Less Safe to Talk Than You Think

Most leaders say they want feedback. What they actually want is feedback delivered by the right person, in theright tone, at the right time — and that is not how feedback works. In this episode, a real coaching session reveals three things most leaders get wrong about upward feedback: theynever formally ask for it, they dismiss it based on the source rather than the content, and they defend themselvesthe moment it arrives — which guarantees they stop receiving it altogether. According to a 2024 Gallup study, only 42% of US employees have ever had the formal chance to give theirmanager feedback. Only 24% have formally rated their manager's performance. That means most leaders aremaking decisions about their teams with almost no data on how they are actually perceived. This episode covers:— Why "I have an open door policy" is not the same as asking for feedback— The email framework to use before every one-on-one (with the exact questions)— Why we accept feedback from people we like and dismiss the same feedback from people we don't— What defensiveness costs you — and why it compounds quietly over time— The difference between saying "you can be honest with me" and actually building the trust that makes honesty possibleIf you manage people, are working toward a leadership role, or have ever wondered why your team seems hesitantto tell you the truth — this one is worth your time. Timestamps00:00 — The coaching session that prompted this episode02:00 — Why "open door policy" doesn't count as asking for feedback04:49 — What Gallup's 2024 data says about upward feedback10:53 — Why we dismiss feedback based on who delivers it13:31 — What happens when you defend yourself to feedback15:42 — Why one interaction is never just one interaction18:01 — What actually builds trust around feedback 🌐 Website: https://www.catiecampbell.com🔥 Burnout Breakthrough Course: https://courses.catiecampbell.com/burnout-breakthroughhttps://www.instagram.com/thecatiecampbell/https://www.tiktok.com/@thecatiecampbellhttps://www.facebook.com/the.catie.campbell #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #EmotionalIntelligence #FeedbackCulture #LeadershipDevelopment#ManagementTips #CatieCampbell