Why Receiving Feedback Feels So Awful—and Why Great Leaders Get Good at It
Let’s be honest—receiving feedback is often way harder than giving it.
Even when you ask for it. Even when it’s well-intentioned. Even when it’s true.
Your stomach drops. Your thoughts race. You start defending yourself—sometimes before the other person has even finished talking.
If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
In Episode 08 of Leadership Explored, we dive into the messy, emotional, and incredibly important skill of receiving feedback well—and why it might be the greatest growth lever available to leaders at every level.
Because leadership isn’t just about giving clear direction or inspiring others. It’s also about how we handle what’s reflected back to us.
🎧 In this episode, we explore:
Why hearing “Can I give you some feedback?” triggers such a strong reaction
The mindset shift that turns feedback into a tool instead of a threat
A 5-step strategy you can use in the moment when feedback stings
The three types of feedback—and why knowing the difference matters
How to manage emotional triggers (like defensiveness or identity threats)
Practical ways to build your “feedback muscle” over time
We also share some of our own moments—when feedback hurt, when it helped, and how we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) to sit with discomfort long enough to grow from it.
Key quote from the episode:
"You don’t have to agree with feedback to grow from it. But you do have to hear it." – Andy Siegmund
If you're serious about personal growth, stronger relationships, and better leadership—you can't afford to tune out hard feedback. This episode is a practical guide to staying open, getting curious, and turning tough feedback into lasting change.
🎙 Listen to Episode 08 now: www.leadershipexploredpod.com
Or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Audible, Amazon Music, or Substack.
We’d love to hear from you:
What’s one piece of feedback that changed how you lead?
Or… what’s a time you should’ve listened but didn’t?
Reply here or email us at leadershipexplored@gmail.com
Until next time—
Thanks for exploring leadership with us.
– Ed & Andy