Last time, we kicked off this Carefrontation countdown with number 10: the power of icebreakers in workshops. Today, we’re moving to number 9 on my list of favorite moments from this series. This one has less to do with the start of conversations and more to do with what happens after they take place.
#9: Following Up After Feedback
One of the most important lessons we covered in this series was the pitfall of not following up after giving feedback. It’s a trap that’s easy to fall into—you share your thoughts, feel like the conversation is finished, and then move on. But without follow-up, feedback is just words. Real growth happens when you circle back, check in, and reinforce the behavior changes you hope to see.
I’ve been guilty of this myself. In fast-moving sales environments, it’s tempting to treat feedback like a one-and-done moment. But when you don’t revisit the conversation, you risk sending the message that you weren’t really invested in their improvement in the first place. On the flip side, when you do check in, you show that you care enough to track their progress—and that accountability builds trust.
The great part about this is that it doesn’t need to be complicated. It can be as simple as asking in your next one-on-one, “Hey, how’s that new approach to discovery calls going?” or “Last time we talked, you mentioned struggling with objection handling. Have you tried the new framework we discussed?” These small touchpoints show that you’re invested, not just critical.
The reason this stands out for me in the series is because it embodies Carefrontation’s balance perfectly: care (I’m invested in you, I remember what we talked about) plus candor (I’m holding you accountable to grow). If you only have time to implement one new habit around feedback, I’d argue this might be the most powerful one.
What about you? When you’ve given or received feedback in the past, what kind of follow-up made the biggest difference for you? Share your experiences below—I’d love to hear how this plays out in real-world sales environments.
Next time, we’ll dig into #8 on the list, which I think might be one of the most underrated elements of Carefrontation.
