265. Feedback Desert

The higher you go, the harder it is to get feedback. If you're not getting validation or guidance on your work, it's easy for anxiety to spike and insecurity to flare. It can feel like shouting into a void -- or plodding through a feedback desert. This episode will help. Let's discuss!...Do you have a challenge you'd like to talk through?This June, I'm opening my calendar to meet with listeners. We'll talk through one problem you want help with. Find a time here:https://calendly.com/kimnicol/podcast-guest...After the EpisodeIn June, use promo code SUMMER50 for mid-year savings on all of my courses:https://maven.com/kimnicol~Free download: Make Feedback Meaningfulhttps://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:https://kimnicol.com/

There's something powerful about saying things out loud. Notice where you feel free to speak your mind and organize your thoughts. . . And where you are more measured and cautious about how you speak. Do you have a work challenge you'd like the talk through? This June, I'm opening my calendar to meet with listeners. We'll talk through one problem you want help with. The conversations will be recorded, to share in a future episode.Find a time here:https://calendly.com/kimnicol/podcast-guest...After the EpisodeSee all of my upcoming classes:https://maven.com/kimnicol~Free download: Make Feedback Meaningfulhttps://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:https://kimnicol.com/

If you feel like there's too much to do and it's all on you. . . Plan a holiday or vacation this season. At the very least, take time off from worry and feeling anxious about all the things on your to-do list....After the EpisodeFree download: Make Feedback Meaningfulhttps://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine~Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies~Learn to use The Gentle No and say no without feeling bad:https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:https://kimnicol.com/

First, a celebration and a story about how I got myself un-stalled on a project. Then, an observation about the value of adding calm to the system, and two approaches for how to do that....After the EpisodeFree download: Make Feedback Meaningfulhttps://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine~Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies~Learn to use The Gentle No and say no without feeling bad:https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:https://kimnicol.com/

"Increase your power and influence with this one weird trick. . ." Seriously, though: make it a practice to pause and slow down. It seems counterintuitive when faced with outer urgency and an inner drive to work hard. But there are real advantages to taking a pause. It's true for athletes (rest builds strength, as does interval training), and it's true for managers at work....After the EpisodeFree download: Make Feedback Meaningfulhttps://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine~Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies~Learn to use The Gentle No and say no without feeling bad:https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:https://kimnicol.com/

If you're an "I can do it myself!" person, then you might not have much practice in asking for help. This episode is for you....After the EpisodeFree download: Make Feedback Meaningfulhttps://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine~Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies~Learn to use The Gentle No and say no without feeling bad:https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:https://kimnicol.com/

Every leader has an underlying philosophy that shapes their decisions, actions, and approach to the work. Not sure where to start? Ask others about theirs...Resources mentioned in this episode:Dr. Frances Frei's Office Hours LIVE...After the EpisodeFree download: Make Feedback Meaningful~Strengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking.~Learn to use The Gentle No to say no without feeling bad.~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching.

The latest Global State of the Workplace Report by Gallup came out, and they're reporting lower levels of engagement worldwide. One thing that helps? Meaningful feedback. And one key part of that? Future focused feedback.Plus: you can now download your own copy of the Make Feedback meaningful zine!.Resources mentioned in this episode:Free download:https://maven.com/p/e36395/make-feedback-meaningful-print-fold-zine--Watch the video tutorial:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te2lJzYc954--Read the Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2026 report:https://www.gallup.com/workplace/349484/state-of-the-global-workplace.aspx--Read the study on Future Focused Feedback:https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0234444...After the EpisodeStrengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:⁠⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠⁠~Learn how to say No, without feeling bad:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no⁠~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠

This week, take a breath and savor the wins. There will always be more work to be done. And even when things are going well, it can feel scary -- the feeling that there's more to lose, or that you'll let people down, can increase in the best of times.So make an intentional practice: savor the wins, whether they are small or clearly visible for all to see...Is there a topic you'd like to see covered in an upcoming episode? Leave a note below! Or send me a message on LinkedIn....After the EpisodeStrengthen your communication skills and strategic thinking:⁠⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠⁠~Develop your skills at saying No, without feeling bad:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no⁠~Follow me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠

Being a manager isn't glamorous. If things are feeling heavy, like you're stuck in a thankless grind, have a listen....After the EpisodeJoin the upcoming class of Communication Strategies for Managers:⁠⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/communication-strategies⁠⁠~Develop your skills at saying No, without feeling bad:⁠https://maven.com/kimnicol/the-gentle-no⁠~Find me on LinkedIn:⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimnicol/⁠⁠~Get in touch to discuss private coaching:⁠https://kimnicol.com/⁠