Richmond HR Forum

Cultural Feedback Styles & Leadership Accountability: What Blunt Feedback Can Teach Us Delivered at the Richmond HR Forum, this keynote and breakout session explored the intersection of leadership accountability and the role of cultural feedback styles in shaping team dynamics. The speaker reflected on the often-unspoken discomfort Americans feel when receiving blunt, unfiltered feedback—and how that discomfort can actually become a powerful tool for growth. Drawing from cross-cultural communication practices, the session challenged attendees to consider how directness, when delivered with intention, can cut through ambiguity and elevate team performance. In an increasingly global workforce, leaders must learn to navigate diverse feedback styles to build trust and clarity across cultures. Audience Takeaways: How cultural norms shape our perception of “constructive” feedback Why blunt feedback can be productive—and how to receive it without defensiveness Tools for navigating cross-cultural communication within global teams The link between honest feedback and real leadership accountability