The Gift of Feedback

Giving feedback can feel uncomfortable. We often hesitate, worried that we’ll come across as critical, unkind, or difficult. The fear of creating tension or damaging relationships can hold us back, even when we know our input could be valuable. But in reality, thoughtful, constructive feedback is one of the greatest gifts we can offer. I was reminded of this recently while working on my website.

I had partnered with a talented firm on the redesign, and after weeks of collaboration, they sent me the first version. It was well done, but something was off—it just didn’t reflect me or my business the way I had envisioned. I wasn’t sure where things had gone wrong, but I knew one thing: I needed them to start over.

My first reaction was hesitation. I felt frustrated, both with them for missing the mark and with myself for not communicating my vision more clearly. The idea of telling them felt daunting. I worried about sounding too harsh or being perceived as difficult. But after taking a step back, I reframed the situation. This wasn’t about blame; it was about the work itself. We had a shared goal—to create a website that truly represented my business. And the only way to get there was through honest, direct feedback.

So I scheduled a call, expecting a difficult conversation. Instead, I was met with appreciation. They welcomed my input and were eager to get it right. What I had feared would be an uncomfortable discussion turned into an opportunity for collaboration. My feedback gave them the clarity they needed to refine the work, and the final result was a website that I’m incredibly proud of.

One big contributor to the productive conversation we had was that we focused on the future: what we wanted to happen, as opposed to spending time dissecting the past and pointing faults to each other.

That experience reinforced something I’ve seen time and again: when given with clarity, forward focused and with good intent, feedback is a gift. Even if the person on the other side does not recognize it right away and shows a less friendly response than the one I got.

Honest feedback helps people improve, strengthens relationships, and drives better outcomes. So if you find yourself holding back, fearing that your words will create conflict, remember that the right kind of feedback—honest, constructive, and forward-focused—isn’t a burden. It’s an act of generosity that helps everyone move forward.

Be well, be now.

Warmly,

Barbara