[0:00:56] Welcoming Guest Jeff Hancher
- Matt welcomes Jeff, who just released his book “Firm Feedback in a Fragile World.”
- Discussion about the unique difficulties leaders face when giving firm feedback due to the desire to be liked.
[0:02:29] Jeff’s Passion for Leadership
- Jeff shares his passion for equipping future leaders, gratitude for mentorship he received, and his mission to help others reach their potential.
[0:03:02] Jeff Hancher Enterprises Overview
- Jeff describes the evolution of his business, focusing on leadership and sales training, executive masterminds, and building leadership cultures.
- Mentions that the book came from their popular leadership workshop.
[0:04:21] How to Connect with Jeff
- Provides details on how listeners can find him (jeffhancher.com), contact, and participate in training/masterminds.
[0:05:05] The Biggest Leadership Challenge in 2025
- Jeff discusses the enduring challenges of effective leadership and succession planning from his Fortune 500 background.
- Pinpoints hesitancy to give productive feedback as a primary issue.
[0:07:54] The Feedback Gap and Leadership Blind Spots
- Discussion of leadership effectiveness vs. self-perception gaps (65% of managers think they give good feedback; 21% of subordinates agree).
- The role of “quiet quitting” and the importance of healthy feedback.
[0:10:25] The FEAR Framework
- Jeff outlines the “FEAR” acronym: Fallout, Emotion, Amateur, Retaliation – core reasons why leaders avoid giving hard feedback.
[0:14:34] Mindset Shift and Personal Story
- Advice on reframing fear (“What if I DON’T have this hard conversation?”).
- Jeff details his story: military background, family struggles, first job at Cintas, and the huge impact of his manager Sean—tough love leading to growth and numerous promotions.
[0:22:35] The Three Types of Feedback
- Jeff explains the feedback “toolbelt”: directive (for new/emergency situations), collaborative (for high performers), and supportive (for underperformers or those in crisis).
[0:27:06] The Benefits of Feedback (Illustrative Roleplay)
- Roleplay illustrating relational equity in giving feedback and the difference relational deposits make (helpful feedback is a “gift” if trust is earned).
[0:30:59] Engagement vs. Compliance Culture
- Importance of driving employee engagement, not mere compliance.
- Example from Chick-fil-A on culture and motivation.
[0:34:58] Decision-Making and Free Resources
- Mention of decision-making tools at matthewwireman.com.
- Discussion about setting expectations and vulnerability in leadership.
[0:39:45] Handling Accountability Publicly and Privately
- Step-by-step process for addressing tardiness in a team meeting.
- Breakdown of the five accountability questions used in feedback/development conversations.
[0:45:24] Earning the Right to Give Feedback
- Jeff shares story about Brent, tying personal motivation (taking daughters to Disney) to performance.
- Leaders earn trust by helping connect work to personal goals.
[0:50:07] Addressing Multiple Issues & Importance of Relationship Equity
- Advice: Don’t ignore recurring problems, but avoid “piling on.” Build trust first and address issues meaningfully.
[0:53:53] Inspiring High Engagement in a Distracted World
- Effective leaders find and leverage their team’s “why”—purpose-driven engagement, even in transactional jobs (e.g., selling defibrillators).
[0:59:05] The Power of Mentorship (Dr. Joe Bradley Story)
- Jeff credits Dr. Bradley (now passed) with transformational mentorship in composure and self-awareness. The importance of gentle, direct guidance.
[1:04:44] Leadership Reflection and Self-Awareness
- Discussion on journaling, reflecting on weaknesses, strengths, and blind spots.
- Value of honest self-reflection for growth; key questions to ask yourself.
[1:11:08] Final Call to Action & Resources
- Jeff’s top advice: Get great at asking leadership questions. Offers a free resource of his five favorite questions (jeffhancher.com).
- Matthew invites listeners to leave a podcast review for a chance to get a free copy of Jeff’s book.
[1:14:37] Closing Prayer & Final Thanks
- Jeff closes with a blessing for listeners to be impactful, equipped, and bold as leaders.
[1:15:46] Podcast Wrap-Up
Thank you for listening! If you want to find out more about Matt and how you can get coached toward your better self, visit www.matthewwireman.com and check out his LinkedIn and Instagram accounts @matt.wireman.
