Sometimes the truth will sound blunt: “You’ve outgrown this.” “You’re waiting for permission no one’s going to give you.” These things don’t always land well at first. You might be caught off guard and get defensive. You might also, and this is mostly what happens, feel misunderstood. But later, when you’ve taken time to ponder, you’ll realize they said it because they saw the version of you that hasn’t fully shown up yet.
Not all feedback is about fixing what’s wrong though. Sometimes it’s simply meant or given to help you pull your strength back from wherever it’s hidden. A great mentor knows the difference. They not only want you to succeed, but they also want you to step into the kind of success that matches your ability, your potential and the future they know you’re capable of building.