I recently presented my keynote at a large conference for women in Engineering. I opened my keynote — Discover Your Authentic Voice - And How To Use It To Create Change — with a story about the feedback I received in my corporate career that I was too direct. Because of that feedback, I started to hold back the bold, fiery side of me. I questioned my voice and began to speak more cautiously. Not thoughtfully, cautiously.Which begs the question -- should I have ever listened to that feedback in the first place?!?

Today's topic is for all the overachievers, former straight-A students, and past good girls out there: How do you let go of the need for praise and validation? I'll tell you the answer. It's simple, but not easy. You have to get to know yourself. Learn more about how in this 3-minute video.

You know when criticism sticks in your head and swirls around and around, creating a ruminating split pea soup of toxicity? We've all been there. It's NOT fun. So what can you do about it? Here are two practices to help stop the toxic swirl and move forward.

Welcome to part one of a four-part series that’s all about feedback, criticism, praise, and where to focus your development. We’ll dive into imposter syndrome, how to let go of criticism and the need for praise, and today’s topic: The secret about feedback that we don’t talk about.