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How Brave Is Your Feedback Culture? 💬💡
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Dear Reader, We were in the boss’s living room and were about to have a leadership team retreat. Just 7 people on this health services team. I love these cozy, informal-feeling retreats. The topic to address was feedback. They wanted to create a culture of feedback seeking, and they were concerned that so many of their staff seemed defensive when receiving feedback, and then some would gossip about it; lots of indirect communication. I asked 2 questions. Do you give more positive or constructive feedback? “Well, isn’t feedback to help people change?” they said. I explained Gottman’s 5:1 rule and shared that if we don’t give 5x the amount of positives, then we are depleting emotional bank accounts and creating teams who shy away from feedback. I then asked how much feedback they ask for. They thought I was confused, trying to clarify that they were talking about the staff, not them. (You see the issue.) If they wanted to have a feedback-seeking culture, they needed to model it. Then there is the quality of the questions. When we ask questions like: what am I doing well, what could I work on, or how could I support you best, those are C-level questions. Generic questions often yield generic answers. So I framed up the exercise. “Look around the room and think of someone here that you’d like to ask for feedback from. Not roleplay, but real play. 1 person tried to refuse. “I’m not doing this,” she said. There were lots of feelings. Thankfully, I was able to talk to her and change her mind. I still remember a specific question that was asked; it made a big impact on me. First, they got to work by writing their questions, and then asked each other. One of my greatest skills is eavesdropping, so I heard all of it. The one said with tears in her eyes, “I fear that you think that I think that my department is better than yours. Is that true?” I don’t even remember the answer, but what I do remember is that I thought: “That’s what bravery looks like.” Do you have a feedback-seeking culture? With gratitude, Julie 🚀 STEP Into Leadership Growth – Register NOW! Ready to rise to your next chapter in leadership? The Successful Transition Empowerment Program (STEP Academy) is built for emerging and evolving leaders who are navigating new responsibilities with vision and intention. STEP Academy offers: 🌟 A peer community that challenges and supports you 🌟 Practical tools to lead with clarity and confidence 🌟 Space to reflect, grow, and lead forward Spots are limited—take the next, intentional STEP in your leadership evolution.
🏆 The Moth StorySLAM Winner! I’ve never thought of myself as a storyteller. Over the last 10 years, I have really tried to hone the craft. I told a story at The Moth StorySLAM event in Phoenix, and somehow I won! So I get to go onto the next round 😊
🎓 Partial Scholarship Applications opens on July 6, 2025 for STEP Academy – Fall 2025 We’re excited to announce that partial scholarship applications for the Fall 2025 STEP Academy cohort will officially open on July 6, 2025! This is your chance to step into a new chapter of leadership, growth, and purpose—with support that makes it even more accessible. 🌟 Scholarship recipients will receive 50% off full tuition for STEP Academy. 📌 Key Dates to Know: 🗓️ Opens: July 6, 2025 ⏳ Closes: July 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM Arizona Time 📣 Recipients Announced: July 18, 2025 📲 Application mechanics and official announcements will be shared on our social media channels. Keep an eye out for behind-the-scenes previews, real stories from past scholars, and reminders leading up to the deadline. This could be your moment—don’t miss the chance to grow with us this fall. Facebook: www.facebook.com/LancasterConsulting Instagram: www.instagram.com/lancasterleadership/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lancaster-leadership-consulting/ 🎥 Our Q2 2025 Report Is Live — And It Hits Different What do you do when the world feels unpredictable? You anchor in what’s clear—and share it boldly. This quarter, we’ve been doubling down on clarity, refining what we offer, and listening closely to what leaders like you truly need right now. From new coaching pathways to fresh learning tools, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes at Lancaster Leadership. 💡 Curious what’s new? 💬 Want to know what clients are asking for most? 📦 Ready to peek under the hood? Watch the full Q2 video now and explore what’s fueling real leadership in uncertain times.
📝 Writing Your Aspirational Obituary? Yes—While You're Still Alive What if you designed your life by looking backward from the legacy you hope to leave? In our latest video, we explore a bold and deeply personal reflection tool: the aspirational obituary. It’s more than a creative writing exercise—it’s a compass for intentional living, authentic leadership, and deeper connection with those around you. Inside, you'll learn: 💡 Why this practice is more powerful than a typical leadership statement 📌 6 thoughtful tips to bring your obituary to life—quirks, values, humor and all ❤️ How claiming your impact now can shape how you live today This is about clarity, courage, and living by design—not default.
Power Phrase of the Month:
"Lead with calm conviction. The storm may swirl, but your direction stays true.”
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Join our mailing list to receive monthly newsletters and updates on upcoming courses. We share our Leadership Toolbox, Resources and more!
Dear Reader, I’m sitting in our medical lab, about to host our monthly team meeting. Twenty faculty members are cramming in between their classes for this meeting. I’m the dean of education, and we have no proper meeting room, so here we are. This is 18 years ago. This is the same lab where I have been asked to do things not in my job description, like give blood for phlebotomy students learning to use needles and urine to test. Thank goodness they never gave me a surprise pregnancy...
Dear Reader, FDA & Stories 13 years ago I started a 5-year stint of flying to Washington DC one time per month for 12 days. I did this for 5 years. I was doing one-on-one coaching and teaching leadership trainings for the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research for the Food and Drug Administration. I got a badge. I wore government suits. I loved every minute of it and my work felt important. There were so many important topics that could make or break them being good leaders. I taught about...
Dear Reader, Recognizing Uniqueness I was 21. It was my first summer working with Visions Service Adventures, and we were making the 6-hour drive from Anchorage, Alaska, to Tok, a tiny town where we were spending the summer living with 30 high school students from around the country. I was hired as the outdoor specialist and knew I’d be teaching students to kayak and backpack. We’d spend much of our time doing cultural learning and community service, like building a bridge over a river, not...