Supporting Leaders Who Seek Feedback: A Guide to Organizational Growth and Transformation

I am writing this piece with immense love and care for the leaders who sacrifice so much for their teams. These leaders ensure their organizations run as smoothly as possible, supporting their teams and fulfilling the missions they care deeply about.

The Challenges of Leadership: It’s Not for the Faint of Heart

Being a leader is not for the faint of heart. More often than not, I encounter leaders who are deeply invested, who care profoundly, and who are shouldering enormous responsibilities on behalf of others. Yes, people make mistakes, and there are always areas where leaders can improve their practices. But that doesn’t diminish the fact that many leaders—most of the ones I work with—are giving their all and doing their very best.

Organizational Cultural Audits: A Path to Growth

One of the common services I offer is an Organizational Cultural Audit. Leaders hire me to conduct 1:1 interviews and host focus groups where employees can share their feedback and thoughts. Together with leadership and other representatives within the organization, we typically curate a list of questions. I then compile a report that identifies trends, discusses the organizational culture, and offers areas of priority and actionable next steps.

Why Leaders Seek Feedback: Building a Participatory Culture

The leaders who hire me do so because they are genuinely interested in hearing from their teams in a psychologically safe and objective way. They take this critical step because they care—because they want to make their leadership more participatory and because they want to understand their team beyond the efforts they’ve already made.

Facing Feedback: Turning Discomfort into Opportunity

It’s only natural that when staff share their feedback, areas of growth for both leaders and the organization as a whole are uncovered. Often, it’s these areas of improvement that the majority of people tend to focus on. This can feel scary and intimidating for leaders who are working so hard to build a cohesive culture. It’s natural for leaders to have an initial reaction that may be defensive, to feel defeated, unseen, or simply scared. These are expected and normal feelings when we are pushed out of our comfort zones.

Moving Forward: Embracing Transformation in Your Organization

What’s most important, though, is how we process those feelings and what we do with the information we are given. That’s where I come in. I’m here to help you process what may be coming up for you and explore how it may be tied to previous interactions and efforts. Together, we will unpack the report and prepare to address what was uncovered.

This is Not a Roadblock: It’s a Pivotal Moment

It’s crucial to recognize that this is not a roadblock. Yes, it may feel a bit scary, but this is actually a pivotal moment in your organization’s history. You have the data, and you’ve already signaled to your team that you’re here to listen and make changes. There may be a few moments of discomfort, but these are necessary steps to get you to the other side—a place where you address and meet your team’s needs. This process will be transformational and will help you overcome the barriers that have been holding back your organizational culture.

A Dedication to Leaders: You Are Doing Incredible Work

This article is dedicated to all my wonderful former and current clients who are doing incredible work. I see you. You are doing a Herculean job, and I congratulate you on seeking out critical feedback. You demonstrate true leadership by taking courageous steps, embracing vulnerability, and committing to growth.

Looking for actionable steps to handle feedback effectively? Dive into this article for practical tips and strategies!

Send this article to a leader you respect and are grateful for!

#LeadershipDevelopment
#OrganizationalGrowth
#TransformationalLeadership
#LeadershipSupport
#FeedbackCulture
#OrganizationalCulture
#CulturalAudits
#LeadershipChallenges
#GrowthMindset
#TeamBuilding
#LeadershipTransformation
#EmpowerLeaders
#LeadershipStrategy
#OrganizationalChange
#LeadershipExcellence