Radical Honesty and Feedback w/ Ron Carucci

Radical honesty and feedback are some of the most critical leadership skills, yet so many leaders struggle with them. Why? Because they’re uncomfortable, and we’re wired to avoid discomfort. But as my guest, Ron Carucci, explains, avoiding feedback comes at a cost—misalignment, poor performance, and eroded trust. Ron is the co-founder and managing partner at Navalent, a consulting firm specializing in transformational change for organizations. He’s spent 30+ years coaching executives at Fortune 10 companies, startups, nonprofits, and government agencies, helping them build accountable, high-performing cultures. He’s also the author of To Be Honest: Lead with Power, Truth, Justice, and Purpose, a book that unpacks a decade of research on what makes organizations truly honest—or dishonest. In this episode, we explore why feedback is so difficult, how leaders can create a culture of transparency, and tangible ways to give feedback effectively. Ron shares powerful insights on self-honesty, why leaders avoid tough conversations, and how to dismantle toxic workplace dynamics with open dialogue. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why avoiding feedback is selfish and cowardly—and how to shift your mindset ✅ The power of self-honesty in leadership (and how your "origin story" shapes how you give feedback) ✅ How to create a psychologically safe workplace where feedback flows in every direction ✅ The biggest mistakes leaders make when giving feedback—and how to fix them ✅ Simple but powerful strategies to normalize real, honest conversations in your organization 💡 One of my favorite takeaways? “The absence of accountability is the absence of kindness.” Leaders who fear tough feedback think they’re being “nice,” but they’re actually harming their people and their business. This episode is a must-listen if you want to build a high-performing team and become a more courageous, effective leader. 🎧 Listen now and start leading with radical honesty! Links & Resources: 🔗 Connect with Ron Carucci: Navalent.com | ToBeHonest.net 📖 Get Ron’s book To Be Honest: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Honest-Power-Justice-Purpose/dp/1398600660 LinkedIn: LinkedIn Twitter: Twitter 🔥 Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a leader who needs to hear it! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow for more leadership insights. 🚀 Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/ Please order my book, The Ownership Mindset, on Amazon or Barnes and Noble Follow me on Instagram or LinkedIn. Subscribe to my podcast Reflect Forward on iTunes Or check out my new YouTube Channel, where you can watch full-length episodes of Advice From a CEO! And if you are looking for a keynote speaker or a podcast guest, click here to book a meeting with me to discuss what you are looking for!