Running Without a Map: Why Change Needs More Than Good Intentions

Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Introduction Feedback is a mirror. Over the past two posts, we’ve looked at two ways leaders stumble with feedback: ignoring it altogether (Ignoring the Mirror) and overreacting to every reflection (Trapped in the Mirrors). Both leave you stuck. But there’s a third trap, and it’s sneakier because it...

Ignoring the Mirror: Why We Resist Feedback and Growth

Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Introduction We previously defined feedback as the key enabling behavior of true mentorship. Good feedback acts as a mirror, reflecting something about us that we may not see on our own, and provides a pathway to change, grow, and improve.  But what happens when you don’t like the reflection?...

Feedback That Actually Lands

Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Introduction “Just throw strikes.” That was the shining pearl of feedback my son once got during a Little League game. He’d just walked two batters in a row. When I headed out to the mound for a chat to help him get centered and figure out what to...

“That’s OK” Is Not OK: The Growth Mindset Rant (Part 2: Mentors and Leaders)

Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Introduction In Part 1, we explored how individuals sabotage themselves with fixed-mindset self-talk and how honest self-assessment paired with self-compassion opens the door to growth. Now let’s shift the lens: what happens when that same dynamic plays out in a mentor–protege or leader–team relationship? “Some people are not...

“That’s OK” Is Not OK: The Growth Mindset Rant (Part 1: The Individual)

Christopher J. Colombo MD, CEC, CMC, CPP Introduction “Some people are not good at [insert, whatever here]. And that’s ok.” The genesis of this post came from an interesting set of coincidences: That line came out of a podcast I listened to recently, and it nearly snuck past me on a quick listen, but something...