We’ve covered a lot over the last few days. We talked about the “too sensitive” label, and what happens when we stop being curious about our role in the reaction. We challenged the idea that thoughtful feedback is soft, reframing it as strong, precise, and clear. We named the myth that emotions don’t belong at work, and looked at how feedback always lands in a human context. We explored how to speak plainly without speaking harshly. And we talked about what to do when intentional feedback starts to feel forced, and how authenticity isn’t about being automatic, it’s about being aware. And in all of it, there was one thread: Leadership isn’t about always getting the words right. It’s about being present enough to notice when they didn’t land, and brave enough to go back. The feedback that builds isn’t perfect. It’s human. It takes effort. And it gets easier when you practice it together, in teams that value trust over toughness, and clarity over cleverness. Thanks for reading. I hope it’s given you something to reflect on, something to try, and something to bring into your next conversation, whether it’s planned or not. Until next time, Dermot The Messy Middle ✉️ Enjoying The Messy Middle? If this sparked something useful, consider forwarding it to a colleague or friend, it might help them too. If someone sent this email your way and you’d like to get it direct, you can sign up here. |