Most leaders think their feedback is helping, but more often than not, it misses the mark. Vague comments, personal attacks, and a lack of follow-up erode trust and weaken team morale. In this article, Michael Forras, retired Marine Sergeant Major and former U.S. Diplomat, introduces the CLEAR Framework, a practical, five-step system for giving feedback that creates clarity, builds trust, and drives lasting growth. Drawing on over 20 years of leading in combat zones, embassies, and boardrooms, he shows how leaders can transform feedback from a source of tension into a culture of resolution.

True leadership in crisis isn’t about rank or control—it’s about knowing who you are when the pressure hits. Discover how identity shapes leadership and why your reflection in the mirror matters more than ever in moments of chaos.