Avoiding the biggest pitfalls with tough feedback | Part 2 of 3

You know you should say something.
About the missed deadline.
The behavior in meetings.
The drop in quality.
But the conversation feels uncomfortable, so you wait.
And that’s how small issues turn into big surprises.
In this episode, I break down the most common mistakes leaders make with feedback — and how to handle tough conversations in a way that actually improves performance.
You’ll learn:
Why feedback triggers defensiveness (even when you’re careful)
What happens to team trust when issues sit too long
How avoiding one person affects everyone else
Why “they should already know” is a dangerous assumption
Simple ways to make expectations explicit
How to address problems earlier without being harsh
Why letting things slide creates bigger cleanups later
If you want fewer awkward escalations and more consistent performance, this episode gives you the tools.
Best for founders, managers, and team leads who want to be direct, fair, and clear.
Download my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convo
Looking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.
Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.
I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.
Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.com
Contact: liagarvin.com/contact
Email: [email protected]
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© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple