Lead with a Story

CHAPTER 21

Provide coaching and feedback

“Feedback is the breakfast of champions.”

—KENNETH BLANCHARD

I FIRST MET Mitch Weckop in 1997 when I moved to California, just as I received my first big promotion. It would be my first job managing other people. I quickly realized that if I wanted to learn how to lead a group of people effectively, Mitch was the guy I needed to learn from.

I watched in amazement at how he inspired, coached, and mentored over 100 people at that plant. Each time people came to him with a problem, he not only gave them exactly the right advice to navigate the situation, but also left them feeling better about themselves, their career, and the company.

I often talked to my wife, Lisa, about how impressed I was with his leadership. ...