Growth Instigators Hotline

#389 You’ve got pepper in your teeth

• Aaron Havens • Season 4 • Episode 389

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Feedback isn't criticism, it's oxygen that allows teams to breathe, adapt and thrive without it, teams suffocate like someone walking around with spinach in their teeth all day because no one spoke up.

• Most cultures treat feedback like a courtroom judgment, creating fear and defensiveness that kills growth
• A healthy feedback culture feels more like a gym—the weights are heavy but make you stronger
• Normalize feedback as daily conversation rather than rare performance review events
• Create psychological safety where people trust honest input won't be used against them
• Coach instead of critique—ask "how do we get better" rather than saying "here's what's wrong"
• Even Bill Gates acknowledges everyone needs feedback to improve, regardless of success level

Visit growthinstigatorscom to share how I can help you or your team grow. What's one piece of honest feedback you've been avoiding and how could receiving it unlock your growth?


Speaker 0:

Okay, raise your hand if this is you. You're out with a friend, a group of friends, and then all of a sudden you notice someone has pepper in their tooth or spinach in their tooth. Have you ever seen someone walk around all day with spinach in their teeth? Because no one told them? That's what happens in teams without feedback. Everyone sees the problem but no one wants to say a word.

Speaker 0:

Welcome to message 389 of the Growth Instigators Hotline, where we ignite your personal and professional development. I am Aaron Haven, your host and growth coach. Thrive and Growth Thursday encouraging a culture of feedback. Here's the one big idea I want to land today. Feedback isn't criticism, it's oxygen. Without it your team suffocates. With it they breathe, adapt and thrive. The problem Most cultures treat feedback like a courtroom judgment, fear and defensiveness.

Speaker 0:

That kills growth. A real feedback culture feels more like a gym. The weights are heavy, but they make you stronger. Get it. So how do you build that kind of environment? Three thoughts Normalize the reps.

Speaker 0:

Feedback shouldn't be a rare performance review event. It should be part of a daily conversation Quick, candid and constructive. Second thought Make it safe. People only tell the truth when they trust it won't be used against them, when leaders invite honest input and show gratitude for it, they model safety. The last thought is coach, don't critique.

Speaker 0:

Coaching asks how do we get better. Critiquing says here's what's wrong. One pulls people forward, the other pushes them down. Think about this. Bill Gates once said we all need people who will give us feedback. That's how we improve. Even billionaires with yachts and private jets and high-speed internet need feedback. What makes you or me any different? A culture of feedback means nobody walks around with spinach in their teeth or blind spots in their leadership, because we care enough to speak up and call each other to higher levels. So here's your growth challenge for today Invite feedback before you give it. Ask your team what's one thing I can do better as a leader. Then shut up and listen. Also, reframe mistakes as lessons. Make feedback about progress, not punishment. Thank you for calling Growth Instigator Hotline. I'd love to hear from you. Visit growthinstigatorscom and let me know how I can help you or your team grow. Here's the question for today what's one piece of honest feedback you've been avoiding and how could receiving it unlock your growth? And, as always, keep instigating growth in all you do.