Giving Feedback That Builds, Not Breaks

Let's Talk, People with Emily Frieze-Kemeny

Giving feedback can be hard. Avoiding it makes things even harder. It’s time to do the hard thing and have that feedback conversation.

In this episode of Let’s Talk, People, Emily sits down with Wanda Shoer, Chief Learning Officer at Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical and healthcare company, to talk about one of the most important, and most avoided, leadership responsibilities: giving feedback.

They unpack how to give feedback that’s clear, timely, and grounded in growth not fear. From focusing on observable behaviors (not assumptions) to reinforcing belief in a person’s ability to improve, the conversation offers practical strategies for making feedback feel like an investment in someone’s development. They explore how strong leaders use feedback to unlock potential, not just correct mistakes, and how clarity and specificity can drive accountability without micromanagement.

If you’ve ever avoided a feedback conversation or felt stuck between honesty and empathy, this one’s for you.

As an added bonus, head to arosegroup.com/resources to grab your complementary guide to having difficult feedback conversations.

Timestamps:

[00:07:58] – Why Feedback Feels Risky

Wanda explores the emotional weight of giving feedback and why fear of embarrassment, shame, or misinterpretation often keeps leaders silent.

[00:16:20] – Feedback Is the Job, Not a Bonus

Emily and Wanda discuss how giving feedback isn’t “extra”, it’s core to leading well. When done with clarity and care, it builds trust, ownership, and alignment.

[00:25:14] – Focus on Behaviors, Not Labels

Why the best feedback avoids assumptions about intent and instead centers on what was observed, experienced, and actionable.

[00:35:45] – Growth-Oriented Feedback, Not Fear-Based

Wanda shares how to shift the culture of feedback from one of fear to one of possibility, where improvement is expected and supported.

[00:44:00] – Unlocking Potential Through Strengths

The episode closes with a conversation about leading through strengths, creating clarity, and helping team members feel accountable without micromanagement.

Access the episode transcript.

Join the Conversation: This year we’re taking audience questions! Send in your toughest people management and leadership challenges, and we’ll anonymize them and tackle them in an upcoming episode. Email Abigail on our Let’s Talk, People team with your situation as a written note or voice memo to [email protected].

Connect with Emily Frieze-Kemeny on LinkedIn and Instagram or explore her work through AROSE Group’s website.

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