I spent a lot of time in 2025 thinking and speaking about feedback. (Shocker.)

Along the way, I stumbled upon some big ideas, fresh insights and helpful practices to help us make feedback fearless at work, at home and everywhere in between.

So, here goes -- my 25 feedback reflections for 2025:

Giving feedback

1. Make your message more persuasive.

2. The smartest kind of feedback comes with a high EQ.

3. Good feedback looks like a map.

4. You need a feedback game plan.

5. Feedback should follow the Silver Rule: Don't give what you don't want to get.

6. Difficult conversations are easier with a strong start.

7. Don't sugarcoat feedback. It leaves a sour taste.

Receiving feedback

8. The hardest part of feedback is learning from it.

9. Negative feedback can make you bitter...or better.  

10. Be thankful for the feedback in your life, even if you don't like it.

11. It's possible for leaders to get more honest feedback.

12. Sometimes, it's better to ask for advice.  

Rethinking feedback

13. Good feedback starts with great listening.

14. Feedback can be useful, but it's not always helpful.

15. Don't blame the feedback - blame the question.

Acting on feedback

16. Feedback does not get better with time.

17. To learn from failure, make feedback your teacher.

18. We get better by improving our wrongs, not by proving we're right.

19. Feedback is just someone else's opinion. Decide if it should be yours.

Fundamentals of feedback

20. There's no such thing as perfect feedback.

21. "Just because" feedback is just better.

22. Without trust, feedback mostly fails.

23. Switch from ratings to "rate and reflect."

24. When you give feedback, don't forget the feelings.

25. Bring a coaching mindset to feedback.

Keep fixing in 2026!