68. Failure Files: The Feedback (How I Got Feedback Wrong as a New Leader)

Lead Into It

Lead Into It
68. Failure Files: The Feedback (How I Got Feedback Wrong as a New Leader)
Apr 28, 2026

No one teaches you how to give feedback—you’re just expected to know how to do it. In this Failure Files episode, I share a leadership moment I got completely wrong, what I learned, and how to approach difficult conversations better.

In this episode, I talk about:

  •  What went wrong in a feedback conversation 
  •  The pressure new leaders feel to perform and prove themselves 
  •  Why avoiding difficult conversations makes things worse 
  •  The difference between something being wrong vs. just different
  •  What I wish I had done differently when giving feedback 
  •  A simple question that has changed how I lead today 

This is one of the most common leadership challenges out there:
You know something needs to be said… but you don’t know how to say it.

Let’s keep the conversation going—connect with me on Instagram and LinkedIn, subscribe to my Sunday newsletter, or reach out at sara@leadintoitco. 

Excited to be with you!

Episode Artwork 68. Failure Files: The Feedback (How I Got Feedback Wrong as a New Leader) 8:31 Episode Artwork 67. Redefining Success as a Leader with Natasha Skolny 48:33 Episode Artwork 66. The Heart of Resiliency with Hanna Bauer 1:02:17 Episode Artwork 65. The Art of Authentic Branding with Amanda Hofman 41:13 Episode Artwork 64. Leading Into the Next Season 12:05 Episode Artwork 63. And That’s a Wrap: Best of 2025 Highlights 35:34 Episode Artwork 62. Veterans Day Special: Courage and Leadership 12:51 Episode Artwork 61. Leadership Meets Flexibility with Whitney Munro 55:10 Episode Artwork 60. Ask Sara: Leading Through Challenges, Promotions, and Emotions 23:20 Episode Artwork 59. Redefining Leadership with Brooke Brzozowske 51:29 Episode Artwork 58. The Power of Storytelling with Karen Eber 55:55 Episode Artwork 57. The Failure Files: The Email 23:45 Episode Artwork 56. Diving Deep: Empowering Volunteers and Protecting Sea Turtles with Tabitha Siegfried 1:06:54 Episode Artwork 55. Science Meets Leadership: Navigating the Unknown with Diane Fraser 56:00 Episode Artwork 54. What Leadership Taught Me: Trust, Rest and Grace 8:33 Episode Artwork 53. Season Wrap-Up: On Commitment and Community 24:52 Episode Artwork 52. No Clichés, Just Courage with Mike Minihan (Part 2 of 2) 44:37 Episode Artwork 51. Ownership, Leadership and Attitude with Mike Minihan (Part 1 of 2) 50:42 Episode Artwork 50. Owning the Room with Lydia Fenet 1:00:15 Episode Artwork 49. The Power of Debriefing with Robert "Cujo" Teschner 1:07:15 Episode Artwork 48: Leading from the Inside Out: Mindset Coaching with Margaret "MJ" Jennings 44:20 Episode Artwork 47. Fueling Leadership Through Empowerment with Maj Gen Dan Tulley 57:33 Episode Artwork 46. Cultivating Curiosity as a Leader with Thomas Greek 1:15:24 Episode Artwork 45: From Colonel to Cacao: A Leadership Journey with Maria Carl 1:03:17 Episode Artwork 44. And We’re Back: Leadership, Growth & Authenticity 20:37