Thank You for Sharing: The Leadership Growth Hidden in Negative Feedback

“Even when most things went well, the one voice that didn’t enjoy what I had to say echoed the loudest.” – Joanna Douglas

Recently, I gave a talk. A small one—10 people. I opened the floor for optional discussion. It felt warm, productive, like a shared experience.

But just minutes after sending a feedback form, I got a single review that felt like a punch to the gut. It was mostly negative. Focused on that one vulnerable moment where I invited people to speak up—if they wanted to.

It wasn’t what I expected. And it stung. Because let’s be real—when you are the brand, the face, the voice... feedback can feel personal. Even when 90% of it is positive, that one comment? It echoes. Loudly.

Key Takeaways

1. Feedback can be a mirror—not a verdict.
   Sometimes it reflects our triggers more than our truth. That doesn’t make it irrelevant. It makes it useful.

2. When you're the brand, it’s personal—but it doesn’t have to be painful.
   You can feel it, process it, and still move forward with clarity.

3. Growth is messy. There’s no shame in that.
   Even as someone who teaches emotional regulation, I forgot to pause. That’s the work. To keep practicing.

4. You are not for everyone—and that’s a strength.
   You serve those ready to live fully, love themselves deeply, and lead with radical self-responsibility.

Let’s Go Deeper

The Feedback That Hits Different

I talk about the amygdala. I teach leaders how to pause, recalibrate, and emotionally regulate. And then... I didn’t do it.

That’s the thing about emotional growth. It’s not a box you check. It’s a cycle you revisit. And in that moment, I felt every inch of the sting.

But once I allowed myself to feel, reflect, and release, I came back to this truth:

“I’m not for everyone—and I don’t need to be.”

You Can Lead and Still Be Rattled

Being shaken by feedback doesn’t mean you’re weak. It means you’re human. And every leader I coach—no matter how seasoned—has a story like this.

What matters is how we respond. Not perfectly. But consciously.

This time, I came back to the core of who I serve:

✨ The women ready to live joyfully, boldly, and responsibly.
✨ The leaders who want to grow, not perform.
✨ The humans willing to love themselves through the messy middle.

What’s Your Feedback Story?

Have you ever been rattled by feedback that caught you off guard?

📍 Did it reveal something deeper?
📍 Did it push you closer to your truth?

Download the Leadership Workbook and start leading with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Let’s normalize emotional intelligence as a leadership strength, not a weakness.

And to the person who gave that feedback—thank you. You helped me remember who I am, who I serve, and why this work matters.

Until we connect again, I hope you have a powerful day.