In this episode of the How to Lead – 2025 Edition series, Julia reconnects with Monica Medina after her earlier episode on performance reviews sparked a flood of listener questions. This time, they take on one of the trickiest parts of leading: how to give feedback. 

Monica explains why feedback is so hard both for the giver and the receiver and why avoiding it usually makes things worse, not better.  

She shares practical tools for leaders who want to give feedback that is fair, constructive, and effective, without damaging trust or relationships. From using phrases like “I’m wondering…” and “Help me understand…” to balancing compliments with areas for growth, Monica offers approaches that keep conversations honest, humane, and actionable. 

They also explore how to avoid the common traps: waiting too long, overloading with criticism, making it about yourself, or panicking in silence. Instead, Monica lays out how to structure feedback meetings, how often to hold them, and how to give people a genuine voice in the process. 

Listen to this episode to learn how feedback, done thoughtfully, can build trust, spark growth, and strengthen relationships, and in the process strengthen entire organisations. 

About the Guest:

Dr. Monica Medina is a literacy consultant for International & US Schools alongwith a seasoned educator and leadership expert dedicated to fostering inclusive and effective communication strategies. With a strong background in organizational development and higher education, she has worked extensively to support leaders in navigating complex workplace dynamics.