From transformative personal experiences to practical leadership strategies, Dr. Sonia Alvarez-Robinson discusses how to navigate adversity, develop self-awareness, and create a culture where feedback leads to real change. She introduces her FIRST model for resilience, offers guidance on receiving and utilizing feedback effectively, and shares compelling stories from her career, including a game-changing ‘hot mic’ tip!
Bio and TranscriptAre You Growing Your Team on Purpose—Or by Accident?
Many leaders struggle to align their people, purpose, and processes for sustainable growth. In this episode of Simply Feedback, Claire Chandler, author of Growth on Purpose, reveals the four fundamental needs every employee has—and how fulfilling them fuels both engagement and business success.
Claire shares the eye-opening feedback that changed her leadership approach, why trust accelerates performance, and how leaders can balance vulnerability with confidence. If you’re ready to build a culture where people want to follow you, this conversation is a must-listen.
Bio and TranscriptLori Riznek emphasizes the power of perspective in feedback, which involves understanding the unique viewpoints of both the giver and the receiver. She highlights how trust, empathy, and open-mindedness are essential in creating feedback that fosters professional development. By stressing the value of active listening and thoughtful questioning, Lori demonstrates how honest feedback, when approached with the right mindset, can inspire meaningful progress.
Bio and TranscriptEmily and Erik Orton, authors of “Seven at Sea” and co-founders of The Awesome Factory, share how they left their life in New York City to sail the world with their five children. They share how the question, “What could go right?” lead them to adopt a mindset focused on potential success and growth, rather than being held back by the fear of failure. On their journey, they embraced mentorship and practiced gratitude while navigating challenges together, strengthening their family and overcoming fears. Their story illustrates how being open to feedback, building leadership skills, and focusing on possibility can lead to personal and professional development.
Bio and TranscriptSean Murray, a leadership expert and author, delves into the crucial role of feedback in driving organizational growth. Drawing on the experiences of the 1984 U.S. men’s gold-winning volleyball team, he illustrates how trust and collaboration were cultivated through a challenging Outward Bound experience. Murray emphasizes that true leadership is about guiding teams to embrace challenges, fostering an environment where vulnerability and open communication thrive. The conversation highlights how such an approach not only builds resilient teams but also enhances their ability to collaborate and solve problems effectively.
Bio and TranscriptYvonne Druyeh Dood, a life and business coach, explains how she learned to “operate in your strengths” without sacrificing personal well-being or falling into the martyrdom mindset often associated with passionate work. She shares how feedback helped her recognize the importance of integrity and alignment in her pursuits. Her approach, which integrates business strategy with a holistic understanding of personal values and strengths, supports entrepreneurs in achieving both professional success and personal fulfillment. Through her Authentic Hustle workshops, she emphasizes finding balance, operating with ease, and achieving sustainability in work and life.
Bio and TranscriptRobert Avinger shares insights on the critical role of intentional curiosity when receiving feedback, even when it’s challenging or poorly delivered. He recounts personal stories that illustrate the impact of feedback on his career, both positive and negative, emphasizing the importance of how we respond to it. The conversation also touches on his experience developing a career conversations toolkit and his transition to running his own consulting firm, Avinger Consulting, which focuses on fostering strong relationships within organizations.
Bio and TranscriptSally Helgesen discusses how to create more inclusive workplaces by exploring concepts from her book “Rising Together.” She emphasizes behaviors over biases and how to manage emotional triggers constructively. She highlights the importance of extending “the benefit of goodwill” rather than “the benefit of the doubt” in professional interactions to build effective and comfortable relationships across diverse groups. She also delves into the challenges of maintaining authenticity while being open to feedback and the evolving nature of leadership habits.
Bio and TranscriptSally Helgesen, an expert on women’s leadership, discusses her book “How Women Rise” and effective strategies for women to rise in the workplace. Sally emphasizes how feedback should be based on recognizing strengths and provides insights into overcoming common habits that hinder women’s career advancement. She shares her observations on the evolution of workplace dynamics throughout her career. The conversation also highlights the importance of inclusive behaviors and how women can actively contribute to creating more inclusive work environments.
Bio and TranscriptStephanie Allen, a strategic CEO advisor and fractional COO, reminds us about the need to ask if we can give feedback. If the other person is not ready to receive it, we’re likely wasting time and creating unnecessary conflict. She also reminds us that feedback is a gift, and sometimes it’s a gift we didn’t think we needed. Feedback loops are important; while we can’t control people, we can influence them. One key aspect to all of this is, “Don’t accept assumptions.” Leaders need to clarify and verify.
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