The Founders Catalyst
Hosts Lee Povey and Steve Mellor are two high-performance coaches with a passion to position founders and business leaders to pursue the best version of themselves.
This podcast provides a support system for those operating in the high-stakes world of business ownership and leadership through honest and vulnerable conversations about the areas you deal with most.
The Founders Catalyst
Episode 017: The Art of Feedback: Leading with Truth, Timing, and Trust
In this real and relatable chat, Steve Mellor and Lee Povey get into one of the trickiest, but most important, parts of being a strong leader: giving feedback that actually helps people grow.
They talk about how to share hard truths without breaking trust, and why the relationship behind the message matters just as much as the message itself.
Whether you're leading a team, coaching others, or just trying to communicate better, this episode is packed with down-to-earth advice on how to be more effective, not just more direct.
đź’ˇ Key Takeaways:
- Feedback is love. Telling someone what they need to hear—when done well—is one of the most powerful gifts you can give.
- Delivery matters as much as the message. Even the most truthful feedback will fall flat without the right tone, timing, and trust.
- Rapport is the foundation. Build the relationship first. Without it, feedback may feel like an attack, not a gift.
- Ask before you advise. A simple “Are you open to feedback?” can unlock a more productive, respectful exchange.
- Be effective, not just right. Choose the right time and the right words to ensure the feedback can actually be received and acted upon.
- Focus on growth, not ego. Feedback should invite someone into their potential—not trap them in their current limits.
- Zone of Genius vs. Zone of Comfort. Great leadership invites others to take the leap into their true potential.
đź”— Links & Resources:
- 🧠Free Feedback Guide by Lee Povey: www.leepovey.com (Scroll to the bottom of the homepage to download)
- đź’Ľ Connect with Lee: www.leepovey.com
- đź“Ł Learn more about Steve: www.growthready.com
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