The Feedback That Transformed My Leadership

Seven years ago, I received some tough but transformative feedback that completely reshaped my approach to leadership.

"You need to show more empathy," my boss told me. "You're too tough on your team. You don't understand their needs."

Those words stung. I knew I drove my direct reports hard and pushed them to excel. But I thought I was motivating them to develop their skills and reach their potential, just as leaders had done for me. I couldn't understand why they couldn't match my pace, standards, and work ethic.

I spent a lot of time reflecting. How does one actually build empathy? It's not a skill you can acquire from a book or online course. To truly develop it, I needed to think outside the box and be open to a completely new mindset.

That's when I decided to work with an executive coach. Together, we unpacked my personal blind spots through deep self-exploration. We workshopped tactics for increasing emotional intelligence and watching situations through a more empathetic lens.

It was a transformative process. One that turned a glaring leadership weakness into a core strength that's only continued growing over the years.

I'm immensely grateful I received that feedback and took the initiative to address it head-on. Empathy has become a powerful differentiator, allowing me to truly understand, motivate, and develop people in a way that unlocks their best.

Have you received feedback that you've struggled to action? Whether it's increasing empathy, strategic thinking, decision-making or another area, coaching can be a vital catalyst for professional growth.

I've been in your shoes, and I'm here to be your guide.

#leadershipdevelopment #coaching #empathy #professionalgrowth #tech