88: The Feedback That Changed Me As A Leader

In our last episode, we met Billy, a high-energy leader struggling to connect with his team, alongside guest Dr. Nicole Lipkin, who shared insights on emotional intelligence and leading with empathy.

In this solo episode, Jay reflects on a pivotal moment from early in his leadership journey, a piece of feedback from his top-performing rep that completely changed how he managed and connected with his team. What seemed like positivity at the time was actually unintentionally invalidating others’ struggles. That feedback, though difficult to hear, became a turning point.

Jay breaks down two critical leadership lessons from this experience: the importance of creating safe space for honest feedback, and the need to acknowledge others' pain before shifting into problem-solving mode. These shifts not only transformed his relationships at work but helped him become a more empathetic and effective leader.

If you’ve ever wondered how to build trust and psychological safety without losing your edge as a leader, this episode is for you.

Notable Quotes

“Let them feel heard. Let them feel understood. Then shift into coaching.” — Jay Abbasi

“While being positive is a wonderful thing, it can backfire when people are struggling and you’re not acknowledging them.” — Jay Abbasi

Resources and Links

Jay Abbasi

Website: https://jayabbasi.me/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayabbasi/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayabbasi_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejayabbasi/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jayabbasipodcast

Join Us Next Time

In Monday’s episode, Jay introduces Wendy, an RN Case Manager at a busy medical center in Austin, Texas. Wendy’s struggling with self-doubt, feeling unrecognized and emotionally drained from her high-stress role. Jay will be joined by Sharon Weinstein, global keynote speaker and award-winning author, to explore how someone like Wendy can regain confidence and emotional stability while continuing to serve with heart and purpose.

Don’t miss this inspiring and actionable discussion!