On this episode of Less Stress, More Joy, leadership coach Amy Leneker explores why feedback conversations so often go wrong — not because of bad intent, but because they activate deep psychological triggers tied to trust, identity, and belonging.

If you care about building high-trust teams, creating psychological safety at work, and leading with both clarity and compassion, this episode will resonate.

Amy breaks down three powerful feedback triggers outlined in the book 'Thanks for the Feedback' by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen that derail even strong leaders:

• The Truth Trigger — when someone’s story about themselves collides with the story you’re telling

• The Relationship Trigger — how trust (or lack of it) shapes how feedback is received

• The Identity Trigger — when feedback feels like a threat to who we believe we are

Drawing on research and real workplace examples, Amy shares practical tools to help leaders give honest feedback without creating shame, defensiveness, or disconnection.

You’ll learn how to:

• Lead difficult conversations with courage and emotional intelligence

• Strengthen trust before you need it

• Separate performance from identity

• Build cultures rooted in accountability and psychological safety

• Reduce workplace stress by normalizing clear, compassionate feedback

This episode is for leaders, managers, founders, and professionals who believe that trust is the foundation of performance — and that better conversations create better cultures.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Feedback Challenges

01:18 Understanding the Truth Trigger

03:46 Navigating Relationship Triggers

07:13 Managing Identity Triggers

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📘 Based on Amy’s upcoming book Cheers to Monday: The Surprisingly Simple Strategy to Lead and Live with Less Stress and More Joy.