Filip was the director of project management at a company that offered translation services for streaming content providers across the globe. Hard working (sometimes to a fault), Filip was an expert at juggling multiple priorities, coordinating translators, quality control experts, and client liaisons across time zones, languages, and cultures. He had a knack for thriving in ambiguity, keeping his eye on strategic goals without getting lost in minutiae. 

Filip also prided himself on always having his team’s back, even if it involved taking the heat from an irate executive. But when it came to delivering feedback to his direct reports, Filip’s resilient exterior crumbled. He would be overcome with worries of damaging the relationships he had worked so hard to build. He’d overthink what to say for hours — sometimes days. The mere thought of uttering the words, “I have some feedback for you,” made him nauseous. Read this great HBR article to find out more