(April 21, 2026 Newsletter) It’s a fine line – and one that many people get wrong. Something is being done incorrectly, isn’t being carried out as you want, that someone misunderstood your instructions or even purposely disregarded them. The person matters to you, either out of a personal affinity for them or because you just recognize that their success is your success. How can you find the words to challenge them without being overly critical? Why it matters This is a classic “both and”...

(April 14, 2026 Newsletter) The last in this series of tricky types of feedback is about how to get through to someone who gets easily defensive. “That’s just who they are,” the Inner Critic says in self-defeat. “Stay out of the line of fire.” You’ve given up before even trying – out of fear of offending, being misunderstood, or being painted as the bad guy. It might seem safe in the short term, but you’re doing yourself no favors in the long term. Why it matters There are sensitive people...

(March 31, Newsletter) In the last few weeks we’ve discussed tricky types of feedback, like feedback to peers or your own boss and personality-related feedback . Another common scenario I hear from clients is how hard it can feel to give feedback to someone with whom you have a close relationship at work, either because you’re good friends outside of work or work closely together. Why it matters It’s a wonderful thing to be close with people at work. It’s a special thing to develop close...