Episode 4 | The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback
Feedback is often called a gift — but not all gifts are ones you’re excited to unwrap. Sometimes it feels like a “white elephant” present — awkward, uncomfortable, maybe even stinging. But when handled well, feedback can transform leaders, teams, and culture.
About the Episode:
In this episode of the Etech Muddy Boots Podcast, Melissa Wood sits down with Jim Iyoob and Kaylene Eckels for a candid conversation about what feedback really means, how to give it with impact, and how to grow from it.
From uncomfortable truths to career-shaping lessons, they share how feedback shaped their leadership journeys — and why great leaders focus less on perfection and more on willingness to listen, learn, and change.
Why You Should Watch:
- Why Leaders Should See Feedback as a Gift: How to recognize the value even in tough criticism
- Turning Hurtful Feedback Into Growth: Why some feedback stings, and how to filter it into lessons.
- Real Stories, Real Lessons: From defensiveness to humility, hear how leaders grew through feedback
- From “I” to “We”: Shifting language and mindset to build stronger teams
What You’ll Hear:
- How shifting from “I” to “We” transforms leadership.
- Why letting go of defensiveness creates stronger connections.
- The difference between feedback that serves you vs. feedback that breaks you
- Why willingness is the real leadership superpower
- How to treat feedback like data: specific, repeated, actionable
- Why feedback is more like a game of catch than tennis — it’s not about hitting it back, but about receiving it.
Real Talk from Real Leaders:
“Not everything needs to be justified. Sometimes you just need to receive feedback so people feel understood.” – Kaylene Eckels
“Feedback is raw data. If it’s specific, repeated, and actionable — it’s gold.” – Jim Iyoob
Meet the Experts:
Melissa Wood – Dean of Leadership Development, Etech
Kaylene Eckels – President, Etech Global Services
Jim Iyoob – President, ETS Labs
Watch Now and Redefine Feedback as Your Leadership Advantage
Step into the mud and discover how feedback the kind you want and the kind you don’t — can shape stronger leaders, healthier teams, and a culture built on growth.
📢 Subscribe to Melissa’s Muddy Boots for more real-world leadership insights.