Let’s be real: asking for feedback can feel awkward—even intimidating. But here’s the truth successful professionals understand—feedback is one of the fastest ways to grow.

Whether you’re a leader trying to improve your team’s performance or a rising professional refining your skills, the ability to ask for and receive feedback with confidence is a game-changer.

Why Feedback Matters

According to research by Zenger/Folkman, leaders who frequently ask for feedback are rated as significantly more effective than those who don’t. Why? Because they model humility, openness, and a commitment to growth. That’s the kind of energy that inspires teams and opens doors.

Let’s break down how to make feedback work for you—not against you.

How to Ask for Feedback the Right Way

Be Clear About What You Want

• Don’t just say “Do you have any feedback for me?”
• Try: “What’s one thing I could have done differently in that meeting to be more effective?”
• Specific questions lead to specific, useful answers.

Pick the Right Time and Person

• Choose someone whose opinion you respect and who has observed your work.
• Ask for feedback soon after an event or project—when it’s still fresh.

Invite Both Positive and Constructive Input

• Ask: “What did I do well?” and “What could I have done differently?”
• This balances the conversation and avoids putting people on the defensive.

How to Receive Feedback Like a Pro

Listen Without Defending

• Avoid the urge to explain or justify. Just listen.
• Pause, take notes, and thank the person for their input—even if it stings a little.

Separate Feedback From Identity

• Feedback is about a moment, a project, or a behavior—not your worth.
• Growth-minded leaders don’t take it personally—they take it seriously.

Follow Up With Action

• Reflect on what you heard. Decide what you’ll start, stop, or continue doing.
• If appropriate, check in again after making changes: “I appreciated your feedback last month. Have you noticed any difference?”

Bonus Tip: Normalize Feedback In Your Circle

If you’re a leader or mentor, build a culture where feedback is part of the rhythm—not a rare event. The more it happens, the less scary it feels—for everyone.

Your Partner in Change,

Marsha

Summer is often seen as a time to slow down—and for good reason. The sun is shining, vacation days are calling, and our calendars seem just a little less full. But while others are hitting pause, this can be the perfect time to hit reset.

I’m not talking about overworking or burning yourself out in the name of ambition. I’m talking about using the summer season to reflect, recharge, and realign—with purpose. If you approach it intentionally, summer can be your secret weapon for personal and professional growth.

Here are three ways to level up this summer—without burning out.

1. Refocus and Reflect

June marks the halfway point of the year. If you set goals in January, now is the time to revisit them. Ask yourself:

• What’s working?
• What’s not?
• What do I need to let go of?

Take an honest look at where you are—professionally and personally. Maybe you’ve been running so fast you haven’t had time to check if you’re headed in the right direction. Use this slower season to realign with your values and purpose.

💡 Action Step: Block one hour this week for a Mid-Year Self-Check-In. Write down your top 3 wins from the year so far—and 3 areas where you want to grow. From there, choose one small action you’ll take in the next 30 days.

2. Sharpen Your Skills

While some industries slow down in summer, that doesn’t mean your growth has to. In fact, it’s a great time to build a new skill—especially one you’ve been putting off because you’re “too busy.”

Whether it’s improving your public speaking, taking a leadership course, learning a new tool, or simply reading that career development book that’s been sitting on your shelf—it all counts.

💡 Action Step: Identify one skill that will help you show up more powerfully in your current role—or your next one. Then, schedule time on your calendar each week this summer to chip away at it. Even 30 minutes a week adds up.

3. Network with Intention

Summer offers more casual ways to connect—coffee chats, walks, small gatherings, or a quick Zoom with someone you’ve been meaning to reach out to.

Now is a great time to reconnect with your mentors, check in with your peers, or introduce yourself to someone you admire. Strategic networking isn’t about collecting business cards—it’s about building relationships.

💡 Action Step: Make a list of 3 people you’d like to connect or reconnect with this summer. Reach out with a short, sincere message: “Hi [Name], I’ve been thinking about you and would love to catch up. Would you be open to a quick coffee or virtual chat sometime this month?” Keep it simple and human.

Get Started Now

Summer doesn’t have to be a time when your growth stalls. It can be a season of clarity, creativity, and connection—if you let it.

You don’t have to do everything. But doing something—one thing each week with intention—can set you up for a strong second half of the year.

So here’s your challenge: Choose one way to invest in yourself this summer. Just one. Then go for it.

Because you’re worth the effort.

Your Partner in Change,

Marsha

Can you believe we’re already halfway through the year?

Back in January, you may have written down big, bold goals. Maybe you claimed 2025 as your year to start the business, ask for the promotion, improve your health, or finally launch that passion project.

But now it’s June. And if you’re anything like most people, life may have gotten in the way.

Here’s what I want you to know:

It’s okay.

Goals are not meant to guilt you—they’re meant to guide you.

So let’s do a mid-year check-in together. No shame. No pressure. Just honesty, intention, and a chance to realign.

Step 1: Assess Where You Are (Without Judgment)

Take out your New Year’s goals—if you wrote them down. If not, just think back to what you hoped this year would bring. Ask yourself:

• What goals have I made progress on?
• What goals have I neglected?
• Are these goals still important to me?

You might realize that some of your goals no longer fit who you are now—and that’s not failure, that’s growth.

💡 Reflection Tip: Write down 3 wins (big or small) you’ve had this year so far. Celebrate them. Then list 1-2 goals that still matter to you, but need a fresh start.

Step 2: Get Real About What You Need

Sometimes we fall off track because we didn’t plan well. Other times, it’s because we weren’t honest with ourselves about what we truly wanted—or what it would take to get there.

Take a moment to ask yourself:

• What support or resources do I need?
• What’s been getting in my way—time, fear, distractions, perfectionism?
• Am I setting goals that align with my values or just what I think I “should” do?

💡 Action Step: Choose one goal that matters to you right now. Break it into a small, manageable next step you can do this week. Not a huge overhaul—just one move forward.

Step 3: Edit or Replace Goals Without Guilt

Your goals are not set in stone. They are a reflection of your current needs, priorities, and season of life. If your focus has shifted, let your goals shift too.

You are not the same person you were in January—and that’s a good thing.

💡 Reset Tip: If a goal no longer serves you, cross it out and give yourself permission to create a new one. What do you need now? What brings you joy, peace, or progress today?

Let This Be Your Reminder

You don’t have to have it all figured out. You don’t need to wait for Monday or next month or January 1st to begin again.

You can reset right now. Today.

So check in with yourself, be honest, and take one intentional step forward. Whether you’re continuing, pivoting, or starting fresh—you’re still moving. And that’s what matters.

Keep going. You owe it to yourself. You’ve got this.

Your Partner in Change,

Marsha