Mastering Feedback: Leadership Lessons with Heli Nehama-Ozery

Heli Nehama-Ozery, an expert in leadership development and organizational design, dives into the transformative power of feedback in leadership. From strategies for giving and receiving feedback to using it as a catalyst for growth, Heli shares her insights on creating cultures that thrive on learning, reflection, and effective communication.

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Key Quotes from Heli Nehama-Ozery

1. "Feedback is the most marvelous leadership tool that is usually not used enough or correctly. It elevates performance by providing an outside perspective."
2. "The real control comes from asking questions, not from what you say. Questions let you understand where the other person is and build better communication."
3. "When we put growth and learning as our main focus, that's where real behavioral change happens."

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In this episode, Heli Nehama-Ozery explores the art and science of feedback as a leadership tool. She explains how to overcome common fears around giving and receiving feedback, the importance of separating facts from interpretations, and using feedback to unlock individual and team growth. Heli also discusses actionable ways to improve communication, self-awareness, and organizational learning.

Find your Catalyst at https://findmycatalyst.com 

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5 Key Takeaways

1. The Power of Feedback in Leadership

• Feedback reveals blind spots that improve individual and team performance.
• Fear often prevents leaders from delivering feedback; preparation can overcome this.
• Intentional feedback strengthens relationships when approached with empathy.

2. Receiving Feedback with Openness

• Focus on extracting actionable insights, even if the delivery is flawed.
• Use Stephen Covey’s Circle of Influence to identify what’s within your control.
• Ask clarifying questions to fully understand feedback and avoid emotional reactions.

3. Giving Feedback Effectively

• Prepare the recipient to avoid triggering defensive responses.
• Combine facts and interpretations while remaining open to discussion.
• Encourage reflection with specific, actionable examples to build understanding.

4. The Role of Communication in Feedback

• Silence is a tool; give space for the recipient to think and process.
• Differentiate between fact-based observations and subjective interpretations.
• Tailor feedback to the recipient’s communication and processing style.

5. Cultivating a Growth-Oriented Feedback Culture

• Balance strengths and areas for improvement; aim for a 50/50 focus.
• Use feedback to highlight positive behaviors for team-wide learning.
• Leaders must model lifelong learning and embrace feedback to inspire teams.

 

Heli Nehama Ozery is the founder of Artemis OD, a consulting firm that empowers frontline managers and trainers to elevate performance and build meaningful relationships. Through tailored leadership development programs, experiential learning, and practical communication tools, she helps global teams thrive and achieve lasting impact.

Website: https://www.artemisod.com/

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