As a leader and coach, I have seen many struggle with offering feedback. Frankly, it took me a long time to overcome my own fear of delivering feedback clearly and effectively to the people I work with. 

Leaders often fear giving feedback because they worry about causing discomfort, being disliked, or being misunderstood. They may also fear potential retaliation or the possibility of demotivating the recipient. However, with self-awareness, courage, and effective feedback skills, these fears can be managed.

Asking for help is often seen as a weakness in leadership. We’re conditioned to think that strong leaders are the ones who have all the answers, who can solve any problem and rise to any challenge without assistance. But asking for help can be one of the most underrated, and powerful skills a leader can have.

What if the same words could land as fuel for growth in one person and as a punch in the gut for another? Feedback, often touted as a cornerstone of leadership development, is not universally experienced. The way we interpret feedback is shaped long before we enter the boardroom. This is a story of two leaders.