“Pay attention to uncomfortable feedback—and ask for it, especially from those who care about you.” —Elon Musk
In 2025, no CEO can afford to run their organization in “isolated cabin” mode. Feedback—which can sometimes sting—has become the intangible asset that determines whether a strategy accelerates or derails.
1. Change your mindset: from “negative feedback” to “signs of improvement”
Talking about negative triggers defenses, creates noise, and closes doors. At WOB, we interpret this as a sign for improvement:
- It's not punishment: it's a map of your blind spots.
- It does not erode the ego: it refines it.
- It does not hurt: it motivates when it stems from respect and empathy.
2. The four-step WOB method
- Radical trust – Sharing vulnerabilities is strength.
- Curiosity with method – Ask questions to understand, not to judge.
- Surgical balance – We celebrate what works and point out what doesn't, with equal precision.
- Real follow-up – Without an action plan, feedback is just coffee talk.
Each session is conscious sum: no judgments, just clear mirrors.
3. Results that weigh on the balance sheet
Harvard Business Review estimates a 35% reduction in critical errors when feedback is systemic and a 40% improvement in strategic agility. Our internal data confirms the trend:
- Decisions made with greater confidence (+30%).
- Faster management alignment (+25%).
- Self-confidence reinforced in 100% of participants after six months.
Conclusion: From uncomfortable warning to competitive advantage
The leadership of the future will be the one you are able to listen to—and apply—before your competition. Asking for feedback does not show insecurity; it demonstrates strategic intelligence.
At WOB, we practice this every day, with real cases and courageous conversations that translate constructive criticism into business traction.
Questions for your own mirror
- When was the last time someone said something uncomfortable to you... and you were grateful?
- Do you have a circle that clearly points out what your colleagues prefer to keep quiet about?
Feedback is not your rival. It is the tool that will take your leadership from survival mode to impact mode.