Fixable Mellody Hobson on taking tough feedback | from ReThinking with Adam Grant
Aug 18, 2025
Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and TED podcast host, chats with Mellody Hobson, co-CEO of Ariel Investments and a trailblazer in finance. They dive into the art of receiving tough feedback and the transformative power it holds for personal growth. Mellody shares her journey overcoming financial insecurity, highlighting how feedback shaped her career. The duo emphasizes emotional resilience, the importance of honest communication, and the necessity of supporting authenticity in leadership, particularly for underrepresented voices in the workplace.
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Match Feedback To Expertise
- Novices benefit more from praise while experts need criticism to find gaps.
- Tailor feedback to the recipient's skill level: reassure beginners and challenge experienced people.
Be Direct, Not Brutal
- Be honest without being brutal: state your opinion clearly but avoid needless harshness.
- Precede subjective feedback with 'This is my opinion' and reserve 'math' for facts.
Require Resilience For Key Roles
- Expect resilience from people you hire for critical roles and state that expectation upfront.
- Warn that frequent emotional collapse after feedback may discourage future candid conversations.