The Leadership Feedback Crisis: Building a Culture of Trust and Resolution

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.