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Hey Reader,

Have you ever asked for feedback, gotten it, and then wished you hadn’t asked? There is a difference between being open to feedback and letting feedback define you. People can give you honest feedback without getting the final say on who you are. You can listen, ask questions, and make adjustments without shrinking yourself in the process.

This week, I want to show you how to do both: receive feedback without getting defensive and speak with confidence without backing away from your own words. Let’s get into it:

#1. From My Inbox: “My director told me that I’m hard to approach. How should I respond to this feedback? - Stacie

Treat this as a gift you can use, not a verdict on who you are.

Respond with curiosity and a clear ask. “Thank you for telling me. I want to understand what ‘hard to approach’ looks like in practice. Can you share two recent examples and what you needed from me in those moments?” You’re shifting from label to behavior.

#2. A Communication Tip: Take Ownership of Your Words

Lean into your words, don’t try to distance yourself from them. Avoid sentences that start with “I think…” or “Maybe…” These phrases make you sound hesitant and lacking confidence.

You can show ownership of your words by saying, “My thoughts are….” You will sound more confident and people will listen.

#3. Something Sierra (😊) is Currently Loving: David Bars​

Everything in my wife Sierra's purse belongs to somebody else. Band-aids, snacks, chargers, Ruby's knickknacks, all spoken for. Except the David bars. Those are hers. Sierra lives on the road. School, the store, church. When she's behind on her protein for the day, one bar puts her back on track. 28 grams of protein, 150 calories, zero sugar. (She buys them for herself. But I eat them anyway. :) She has thoughts about that, but I'll save those for another email.)

Glad you're here Reader,

J