What if your approach to feedback could change everything about how your team grows and thrives? Feedback often triggers anxiety, yet it remains the linchpin of professional development and effective leadership. In a world where communication shapes outcomes, mastering feedback is no longer optional—it's essential.
Leaders like Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook, have championed books like Radical Candor for their ability to balance honesty with empathy in feedback. Meanwhile, Shawn Achor, a New York Times bestselling author, praises Feedback Reimagined for blending positive psychology into engagement strategies. Richard Leider, a purpose expert and international bestselling author, finds Fearless Feedback a treasure trove of insights that deepen leadership clarity. These voices reflect the diverse and powerful ways feedback influences success.
While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks for giving and receiving feedback, those wanting content tailored to their unique roles, industries, or experience levels might consider creating a personalized Feedback book that builds on these insights and fits your specific journey.
Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Facebook and founder of LeanIn.Org, highlights how Radical Candor equips you to inspire and lead teams toward their best work. She values Kim Scott's insights drawn from deep experience and sharp observation, noting that this book can help you become a better leader and create a more effective organization. This approach resonated with Sandberg because it balances clear guidance with genuine care, a balance many leaders struggle to find. Alongside her endorsement, Amir Salihefendic, founder of Doist, also supports the book's principles, underscoring its relevance for building collaborative, high-performing teams.
“Reading Radical Candor will help you build, lead, and inspire teams to do the best work of their lives. Kim Scott's insights--based on her experience, keen observational intelligence and analysis--will help you be a better leader and create a more effective organization.” (from Amazon)
Kim Scott is the author of Radical Respect: How To Work Together Better as well as Radical Candor: Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity. She co-founded the company Radical Candor to help rid the world of bad bosses. Kim was a CEO coach at Dropbox, Qualtrics, Twitter, and other tech companies. She was a member of the faculty at Apple University and before that led AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google. Earlier in her career Kim managed a pediatric clinic in Kosovo and started a diamond-cutting factory in Moscow. She lives with her family in Silicon Valley.
2019·336 pages·Management, Feedback, Leadership, Feedback Culture, Team Building
Drawing from her extensive leadership roles at Google and Apple, Kim Scott developed a unique approach to workplace communication that balances honesty with empathy. You’ll learn how to deliver feedback that challenges others while showing you care personally, avoiding common pitfalls like insincerity or aggression. The book outlines practical frameworks for building compassionate cultures and cohesive teams, illustrated by Scott’s stories from tech giants and startups. If you’re leading any size team and want to improve how you give and receive feedback without losing your humanity, this book offers clear guidance without preaching.
Shawn Achor, New York Times bestselling author known for his work on happiness and potential, highlights this book's emphasis on positive feedback loops as essential for creating virtuous cycles. He found it a practical and research-backed guide that restores humanity to feedback processes, helping leaders bring out the best in themselves and others. His endorsement reflects the book's ability to merge positive psychology with workplace feedback, making it a compelling read if you're seeking to shift how feedback energizes and engages your team.
“Positive feedback loops are crucial for creating virtuous cycles. Anyone interested in becoming better and bringing out the best in others, start here. Feedback Reimagined is a well-researched and practical guide for putting humans back into the equation for happiness and success.” (from Amazon)
Peter Berridge is an accomplished coach and facilitator who utilizes the sciences of Positive Psychology and executive coaching to help leaders, teams, and organizations be more engaged, effective, and productive. Pete became a certified coach through the Hudson Institute of Santa Barbara and is adjunct faculty with the Center for Coaching Organizations. He is one of the first 200 people in the world with a Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) degree from the University of Pennsylvania, the study of human strengths and well-being, and employs proven methods to promote the flourishing of people, organizations, and communities. It is with this training that the Shift Positive 360 was born. Pete was determined to bring the benefits of Positive Psychology into the feedback process, which led him to co-create Change Positive, LLC. Pete has 25+ years of coaching (more than 5,000 hours of individual coaching), facilitation, and Human Resources leadership experience. Pete's passion is coaching senior executives, rising leaders, teams, and organizations that are navigating challenges and charting new directions. When he's not exercising his passion for coaching, he's either whittling a bird out of wood or enjoying the sunset over a Minnesota lake with his Labrador, Lloyd, and incredible wife, Jenny.
What started as Pete Berridge's determination to integrate positive psychology into leadership feedback evolved into a fresh approach in this book. Drawing from his extensive coaching background and a Master of Applied Positive Psychology, Berridge alongside Jen Ostrich introduces the Shift Positive® Method, which reshapes feedback into a tool for engagement rather than discomfort. You'll learn how to identify ineffective feedback habits, foster psychological safety, and build a culture of accountability and allyship within your organization. This is especially relevant if you're navigating leadership or coaching roles and aiming to enhance workplace motivation and retention. The book offers a clear path to transform feedback from a source of tension into an energizing, human-centered practice.
This AI-created book on feedback mastery is crafted specifically based on your background, skill level, and the particular feedback challenges you face. By sharing your interests and goals, you receive a tailored guide that focuses exactly on what you need to develop your feedback skills. This approach helps you cut through generic advice and concentrate on techniques that apply directly to your context, making your learning more relevant and impactful.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
2025·50-300 pages·Feedback, Feedback Fundamentals, Communication Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Feedback
This tailored book explores feedback mastery by weaving together expert knowledge with your unique background and objectives. It examines the nuances of giving and receiving feedback across various contexts, revealing techniques that resonate with your specific interests and skill level. The personalized content focuses on your goals, providing pathways to enhance communication, foster trust, and navigate challenging conversations effectively. By concentrating on the art and science of feedback, this book offers a rich learning experience that matches your needs and deepens your understanding beyond general principles. It embraces the complexity of feedback dynamics, fostering skills essential for leadership, coaching, and personal growth.
Marshall Goldsmith, a respected executive coach and professor in management, praises this book as a guide to cultivating a growth-minded and collaborative culture, emphasizing its practical impact. He highlights how it reshaped his approach to fostering healthy communication environments. His endorsement sets a strong tone, encouraging you to consider how this book could transform your organizational feedback practices. Alongside, Dave Ulrich, co-founder of The RBL Group, calls it an exceptional resource that moves beyond abstract concepts to provide simple, realistic tips that inspire leaders to make feedback a daily reality, reinforcing the book's practical value. Becky Robinson, founder of Weave Influence, also commends the fresh ideas offered, which can supercharge your success in giving feedback effectively.
by M. Tamra Chandler, Laura Dowling Grealish··You?
About the Author
M. Tamra Chandler is the CEO and cofounder of PeopleFirm, a talent management and organizational performance consultancy that has earned consistent recognition as a top place to work. She has been named twice as one of the top twenty-five consultants in the United States by Consulting magazine. She holds an MBA from the University of Washington. Laura Dowling Grealish is a management consultant at PeopleFirm and was previously the director of consulting services at Orion Advisor Services. She holds an MBA from Pacific Lutheran University.
M. Tamra Chandler and Laura Dowling Grealish draw from decades of experience in talent management and consulting to reframe how you think about feedback. They dissect why feedback often triggers defensive reactions and introduce roles like Seeker, Extender, and Receiver to clarify its dynamics. Through chapters on the three Fs—focused, fair, and frequent feedback—you learn strategies to reduce emotional resistance and build trust in conversations. This book is tailored for anyone aiming to improve communication and performance in workplaces, especially leaders and HR professionals who want to foster a culture where feedback empowers rather than alienates.
Marshall Goldsmith, a renowned executive coach and professor of management, highlights how this book reshapes the way we think about feedback across business, education, and family settings. He notes, "Shows the remarkable things that can happen when businesses, schools and families rethink traditional feedback. Highly recommended." This endorsement reflects the book’s practical shift toward a future-focused "feedforward" approach, which helped Goldsmith reconsider standard feedback dynamics. His experience underscores why you should explore this method to improve how you lead, teach, or parent. Alongside him, Jessica Lahey and Adam Grant praise the book’s insightful guidance that makes feedback less daunting and more constructive for everyone involved.
by Joe Hirsch, Marshall Goldsmith executive coach business educator and bestselling aut Marshall Goldsmith executive coach business educator and bestselling aut··You?
by Joe Hirsch, Marshall Goldsmith executive coach business educator and bestselling aut Marshall Goldsmith executive coach business educator and bestselling aut··You?
About the Author
Joe Hirsch is an educator, leadership coach, and speaker. He earned an M.A. in Education from Yeshiva University, where he directs an education startup and is completing an Ed.D with a concentration in instructional leadership and innovation. His work has appeared in the Wall Street Journal, Educational Leadership, and other leading publications. This is his first book.
2017·182 pages·Feedback, Leadership, Communication, Coaching, Team Building
Joe Hirsch's background as an educator and leadership coach, combined with Marshall Goldsmith's executive coaching expertise, shapes this book's fresh take on feedback. Instead of rehashing past mistakes, the authors introduce "feedforward," a forward-looking method that focuses on future possibilities rather than past errors. You'll explore the six-part REPAIR plan, which guides you through transforming feedback into a tool for motivation and growth across diverse settings—from corporate teams to classrooms and homes. This approach suits anyone looking to shift from criticism to constructive encouragement, helping you foster better communication and inspire change in others.
Richard Leider, international bestselling author known for his work on purpose and leadership, found this book deeply resonant. He describes it as "brimming with nuggets of purposeful insight," highlighting how the master coaches behind it provide a guide rich with practical wisdom for both leaders and coaches. His endorsement underscores the book’s nuanced approach to feedback—one that goes beyond surface-level critique to inspire meaningful growth and clarity in leadership. This perspective makes it a compelling choice if you want to elevate how you give and receive feedback.
International bestselling author and purpose expert
“So much in this book resonates with me. Brimming with nuggets of purposeful insight, these master coaches deliver a masterful feedback guidebook for both leaders and coaches.” (from Amazon)
by Amy Kosterlitz, Kathleen Marron, Kelly Ross, Lori Siegworth, Penny Handscomb, Rebecca Glenn, Timothy Signorelli··You?
About the Author
Amy Kosterlitz is an executive coach who works with leaders in law, government, nonprofits, healthcare, and business. She brings insight to coaching from her diverse professional leadership roles, including as lead attorney representing corporations and public agencies in complex legal matters and resolving high-profile disputes. As a senior partner, she built and managed a law firm and mentored others. Amy is a Hudson Institute Master Coach and Professional Certified Coach through the International Coach Federation. She provides support for her clients to better align their professional lives with their values and priorities and to clarify and achieve their goals. Amy consults with organizations on strategic planning, team-building, and creative problem-solving. She has published articles on coaching topics and is an active community volunteer. Amy enjoys hiking, biking, skiing, and spending time with her family.
Amy Kosterlitz, drawing from her extensive experience as an executive coach and former lead attorney, offers a fresh approach to feedback that goes beyond standard 360-degree tools. You learn a seven-step framework designed to mine stakeholder feedback deeply, uncover hidden fears, and frame insights in ways that inspire leaders toward meaningful growth. The book features practical dialogues between coaches, leaders, and stakeholders, illustrating how to navigate underlying emotions often missed in typical feedback processes. If you’re a coach or leader seeking to foster authentic development rather than ticking boxes, this guide provides targeted techniques and templates to help you do just that.
This AI-created book on feedback skills is crafted based on your unique experience and goals. By sharing your current knowledge, interests, and specific areas you want to improve, you receive a book that focuses on accelerating your feedback delivery and reception skills. This personalized approach helps you cut through generic advice and zero in on practical actions that matter most to you. The book is created for you, offering a clear path to faster learning and more effective communication.
TailoredRead AI creates personalized nonfiction books that adapt to your unique background, goals, and interests. Instead of reading generic content, you get a custom book written specifically for your profession, experience level, and learning objectives. Whether you're a beginner looking for fundamentals or an expert seeking advanced insights, TailoredRead crafts a book that speaks directly to you. Learn more.
2025·50-300 pages·Feedback, Feedback Basics, Communication Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Feedback Reception
This personalized book offers a focused journey into mastering feedback with an emphasis on rapid skill improvement through step-by-step actions. It explores how to deliver and receive feedback effectively, tailored specifically to your background and goals. By concentrating on actionable practices that foster immediate learning and adjustment, the book guides you through practical feedback exercises designed to accelerate your communication skills. It covers nuances in emotional intelligence, timing, and clarity to help you navigate complex interpersonal dynamics confidently. This tailored approach ensures the content matches your specific needs, so you gain targeted insights that empower you to engage in meaningful, impactful feedback conversations.
Best for educators tailoring developmental feedback
Stephanie Hirsh, Executive Director of Learning Forward, highlights this book's timely contribution to education, emphasizing how it supports continuous learning through feedback. She notes, "Tell Me So I Can Hear You comes to the field at just the right time, when educators at every level are recognizing the importance of ensuring that feedback contributes to continuous learning for adults." Her extensive experience in educator development lends weight to this endorsement, showing how the book reshapes feedback conversations into opportunities for growth. Alongside her, Robert Kegan, a Harvard professor renowned for adult learning, praises the book's blend of theory and practical application, making it a valuable resource for education leaders aiming to deepen their impact.
“Tell Me So I Can Hear You comes to the field at just the right time, when educators at every level are recognizing the importance of ensuring that feedback contributes to continuous learning for adults. The authors offer actionable insights to help educators engage in meaningful feedback conversations that lead to growth and change.” (from Amazon)
by Eleanor Drago-Severson, Jessica Blum-DeStefano··You?
About the Author
Eleanor Drago-Severson is Professor of Education Leadership and Adult Learning & Leadership at Teachers College, Columbia University. A developmental psychologist, Ellie teaches, conducts research, and consults to school and district leaders, teacher leaders, and organizations on professional and personal growth and learning; leadership that supports principal, teacher, school, and leadership development; and coaching and mentoring in K–12 schools, university settings, and other adult education contexts. She is also an internationally certified developmental coach who works with leaders to build internal capacity and achieve goals. Her work is inspired by the idea that schools must be places where adults and children can grow, and she is dedicated to creating the conditions to achieve this and to helping leaders and educators of all kinds to do the same on behalf of supporting adults and youth. At Teachers College, Ellie is director of the PhD Program in Education Leadership, teaches aspiring and practicing principals in Columbia University’s Summer Principal Academy and aspiring superintendents in the Urban Education Leaders Program, and also coaches principals, assistant principals, and teacher leaders in the Cahn Fellows Program for Distinguished Leaders. Teachers College has recognized her teaching with three awards. She earned her BA from C.W. Post, Long Island University, and her masters and doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from 1998 to 2001. Prior to her work at Teachers College, she served on the faculty at the Harvard Graduate School of Education (1998–2005), where she was awarded the Morningstar Award for excellence in teaching (2005).
Eleanor Drago-Severson's decades as a developmental psychologist and educator shine through in this book, where she and Jessica Blum-DeStefano rethink feedback from a growth perspective. You learn how to tailor your feedback based on colleagues’ developmental stages, such as instrumental or self-transformative knowers, transforming interactions from judgmental to growth-oriented. For example, the authors detail how to help a socializing knower move beyond simply seeking approval to developing independent ideas. This approach benefits education leaders aiming to foster lasting professional growth, though those outside education might find some examples less directly relevant.
Brodie Gregory Riordan, PhD, brings her expertise as an industrial/organizational psychologist with global experience at Procter & Gamble, CEB, and McKinsey & Company to this insightful exploration of feedback. Focused on unlocking potential through coaching and evidence-based practices, she provides readers with a thorough understanding of feedback fundamentals and how to navigate common barriers. Her background in leadership development and talent management grounds the book’s practical strategies in psychological science, making it valuable for professionals across industries.
Brodie Gregory Riordan, PhD, is an industrial/organizational psychologist focused on helping people unlock their potential through coaching, feedback, goal setting, and other best practices from psychological science. Her career has included global roles in learning, leadership development, and talent management with Procter & Gamble, CEB (Corporate Executive Board), and McKinsey & Company. Brodie has also published under her maiden name, Jane Brodie Gregory.
After analyzing extensive research and real-world examples, Brodie Gregory Riordan, PhD, crafted this book to clarify why feedback often fails and how to make it work effectively. You’ll explore the psychological barriers to giving and receiving feedback, learn how technology shapes these interactions, and gain practical strategies to ask for, deliver, and apply feedback in any context. Specific chapters walk you through common pitfalls and provide tools you can tailor to your role or situation, whether you’re a leader or individual contributor. This book suits anyone determined to leverage feedback more constructively rather than avoid it, offering a grounded approach rather than vague platitudes.
Larry Pileggi, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, highlights the foundational role of feedback in electronics and control systems and appreciates how this book bridges theory with practical applications. "Feedback is perhaps the most foundational concept for electronics and control systems in general... This book provides us with a unique perspective of how feedback theory in general relates to practical systems and electronics applications." His endorsement reflects the book’s ability to clarify complex ideas, making it a valuable resource for engineers and students alike. Similarly, Stephen Senturia from MIT praises Dawson’s skill in making the mathematical discipline of feedback theory accessible, helping designers avoid overwhelming equations by focusing on dynamic stability and appropriate mathematical tools.
“Feedback is perhaps the most foundational concept for electronics and control systems in general, but it is often covered for specific circuits for the former, and in terms of theoretical concepts for the latter. This book provides us with a unique perspective of how feedback theory in general relates to practical systems and electronics applications.” (from Amazon)
Joel L. Dawson is an entrepreneur and former MIT professor. He received a 2009 PECASE Award, the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on young scientists and engineers. His start up Eta Devices was a Technology Pioneer of the 2015 World Economic Forum and acquired by Nokia in 2016. His latest start up is TalkingHeads Wireless, Inc.
2021·200 pages·Feedback, Control Systems, System Theory, Dynamic Stability, Linear Algebra
After analyzing extensive cases and examples, Joel L. Dawson developed this guide to clarify feedback theory through a blend of linear system theory, calculus, and physics. Drawing on his background as an MIT professor and entrepreneur, Dawson distills complex mathematical concepts into accessible explanations that connect theory with practical applications. You’ll find clear discussions on dynamic stability and feedback's role across electronics and control systems, making it especially useful if you're preparing for exams or working in industry. This book suits those seeking a solid grasp of feedback fundamentals without getting lost in overwhelming formulas.
Michael-John Bristow and Nigel Bristow are international consultants who have helped thousands unlock the power of feedback. Their extensive work with companies like 3M and Boeing, combined with research in cognitive neuroscience and psychology, uniquely positions them to guide you in transforming feedback into a tool for smarter work and faster learning. Their global experience shines through in this book, offering insights that apply whether you’re at work, school, or home.
Michael-John Bristow and Nigel Bristow are international consultants and speakers who have helped thousands find the power in feedback. Their years of experience and ongoing research put them at the forefront of talent development and organizational effectiveness training. They have consulted with organizations around the world, including 3M, Boeing, ConocoPhillips and Textron. They have personally shared this message on six continents (not being fond of sub-zero temperatures, they hope the book will make it to Antarctica on its own). Michael-John is the founder and President of Step Change Learning, a training and consulting firm that uses the latest research in cognitive neuroscience and psychology to help organizations and individuals reach their full potential.
2015·90 pages·Feedback, Talent Development, Organizational Effectiveness, Cognitive Neuroscience, Communication
Drawing from decades of consulting with global firms like 3M and Boeing, Michael-John and Nigel Bristow unpack why feedback is the often-overlooked key to outperforming innate talent or education. You’ll explore how reframing feedback—as advice, criticism, or even insult—can sharpen your ability to learn faster and navigate challenges with fewer setbacks. The authors weave an African folktale with cognitive neuroscience to illustrate practical ways you can harness feedback to improve relationships, achieve goals, and work smarter across personal and professional settings. This concise guide is especially useful if you want to move beyond theory and apply feedback effectively in everyday situations.
Thomas M. Van Soelen is the President of Van Soelen & Associates, whose extensive experience and engaging style inform this book. Holding multiple degrees in education and publishing widely in educational journals, he brings authoritative insight to the art of crafting feedback that teachers genuinely need and use. His collaborative approach and practical techniques make this resource valuable for anyone aiming to enhance educational leadership through effective feedback.
Thomas M. Van Soelen is the President of Van Soelen & Associates. His collaborative practices, quick wit, and deep experience make for an engaging and meaningful learning experience. He holds multiple degrees in education and has published in various educational journals.
2016·214 pages·Feedback, Teaching, Teacher Evaluation, Written Communication, Classroom Improvement
Thomas M. Van Soelen’s decades of leadership in education shaped this focused guide on delivering meaningful written feedback to teachers. You’ll learn precise strategies to craft feedback that teachers not only understand but actively seek out, supported by concrete examples and an assessment tool to evaluate your current approach. The book details how to integrate effective observation into any teacher evaluation system, helping you foster self-supervising educators and accelerate classroom improvement. If you oversee educational teams or want to deepen your feedback skills in teaching contexts, this book offers practical insights tailored to your challenges.
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Conclusion
The collection of Feedback books here reveals a few key themes: the power of combining candor with care, the importance of viewing feedback as a tool for growth and motivation, and the value of tailoring feedback approaches to individual and organizational needs. If you're grappling with how to give feedback that inspires rather than intimidates, starting with Radical Candor and Feedback Reimagined can set a strong foundation.
For leaders and coaches eager to foster authentic development, pairing Fearless Feedback with The Feedback Fix offers practical, forward-looking strategies. Educators and those in academic leadership will find Tell Me So I Can Hear You and Crafting the Feedback Teachers Need and Deserve particularly insightful for impactful communication.
Alternatively, you can create a personalized Feedback book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation. These books can help you accelerate your learning journey and transform feedback from a challenge into a catalyst for excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions
I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?
Start with Radical Candor if you're leading a team; its clear frameworks balance honesty with empathy. For those interested in positive psychology's role, Feedback Reimagined is a strong entry point.
Are these books too advanced for someone new to Feedback?
Not at all. Many books, like Feedback by Chandler and Grealish, offer accessible approaches suitable for beginners while also providing depth for seasoned practitioners.
What's the best order to read these books?
Begin with foundational concepts in Radical Candor and Feedback. Then explore specialized topics like coaching in Fearless Feedback or educational settings in Tell Me So I Can Hear You.
Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?
Each book offers unique insights. You can start with one that matches your role and goals, then expand your understanding by exploring others for broader perspectives.
Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?
A Guide to Feedback Theory delves into the theoretical side, while Fearless Feedback and The Feedback Fix provide actionable methods you can apply immediately.
Can I get feedback strategies tailored to my specific needs?
Yes! While these expert books provide strong foundations, you can also create a personalized Feedback book that adapts principles to your unique background, goals, and challenges for targeted learning.
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