Live Feedback Review
A quick reference on what it is, how it works, and when to use it vs. a full coaching session.
If you're a current or prospective client, you've probably heard me mention Live Feedback Review (LFR) and wondered how it's different from a regular coaching session. Fair question — a few people have asked, so I wrote this up.
The short version: a coaching session is where we figure things out — I'm wearing my coaching hat, asking questions, going deeper. A Live Feedback Review is where I put on my mentor and advisor hat to give you direct feedback on something you've created. One is nondirective, the other very directive. Both are valuable — and getting both is a big part of working with me.
The Side-by-Side
Coaching Session
60 minutes · Scheduled
- Nondirective — I ask, you discover
- Explores broader territory
- Uncovers new insights and possibilities
- May introduce brand-new context
- Great when direction is still open
Live Feedback Review
30 minutes · Book anytime 24hrs+
- Directive — I give you feedback
- Requires an artifact sent 24 hours ahead
- Artifact must be execution, not exploration
- I review and prep notes beforehand
- Great when direction is decided
Litmus test #1: Have we already decided what you're doing and how you're approaching it?
If yes → You're refining execution. Keep reading.
If no → Use a coaching session. You're still exploring the what, the how, or whether the whole thing should go a different direction.
Litmus test #2: Do you have something concrete you can send me 24 hours ahead — something I can review and prep notes on in roughly 20–45 minutes?
If yes → That's a Live Feedback Review.
If no → That's a coaching session.
How It Works
This isn't a session where you present or demo something live. Here's the flow:
1
You send the artifact
At least 24 hours before your session. Keep it reviewable — something I can read and prep notes on in roughly 20–45 minutes.
2
I review and prep
I go through your artifact on my own time and come in with notes and specific feedback ready to go.
3
We dive right in
No preamble, no presenting. I give feedback, you ask questions, we go back and forth. That's how 30 minutes is plenty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I send as my artifact?
Something you're actually going to use or show to other people — execution, not exploration. Most common: an opportunity assessment, a Head of Product thesis, an ICP doc, a strategy draft. Can also be a few presentation slides, diagram, or short recording (say, you practicing a pitch we've already structured together). If what you have is more like "I want to share my thoughts" — that's a conversation, and conversations belong in coaching sessions.
What if I'm still workshopping the approach?
That's a coaching session. If you're still figuring out what to say, how to say it, or it's still quite possible to go a different direction entirely — that needs a full hour. Any conversation is usually better with a full hour. Otherwise we burn through a 30-minute live review very quickly.
Why not just give me feedback async over Slack?
This kind of feedback benefits from back and forth — you'll have questions about my notes, I'll want to hear your reasoning, and we'll riff. Doing that live is faster than 10 Slack messages over three days. Very occasionally, I'll review an artifact and determine that we can easily resolve notes over Slack - in which case I'll suggest we cancel the LFR and give you that option.
What happens if I don't send my artifact 24 hours ahead?
The prep is what makes this work. Without it, we'd burn the first chunk of 30 minutes on me just reading. Send it ahead so I come ready to dive in.
How often should I be using LFR?
Most clients use LFR about every 1-2 months, paired with coaching sessions every other week. The typical flow: we explore a topic in coaching — say, why an ICP refresh is the right next move and what the structure should look like — and the homework is to write the draft. That draft is a perfect LFR artifact. A second pair of eyes on the execution of something we first explored together.
Not every coaching session produces an LFR-worthy artifact, and that's fine. We might discuss team topology and what roles are needed, but you probably won't need to LFR the job description. Use it when it's genuinely going to be meaningful.
What if I want more frequent access?
Some clients prefer weekly sessions, and/or async feedback anytime they want a second pair of eyes. That's a different engagement — a full-access monthly retainer with me designed for a higher pace of work. If LFR is becoming a weekly habit and you're outpacing your coaching sessions, let's talk. It might mean a retainer is a better fit for the intensity of what you're working on.
What does "shared context" actually mean?
We've already talked about this topic — I know the specific situation or problem to solve, the people involved, and the solution approach we've agreed on. In fact, you've already started on that solution and can share it in advance of our call. Zero context-setting needed at the top of an LFR. If I'd need even five minutes to get up to speed, that's likely a coaching session.
How do I book one?
Anytime, through your Live Feedback Review scheduling link (see bookmarks in Slack). Note that LFR's are still subject to availability - so get it on the calendar in advance to get your preferred time, even before your artifact is ready to share! If you still don't see any available slots, send a few preferred times on Slack as I can often accommodate. There's no cap (so far!) — it's included in your engagement. Most clients land on about once every 1-2 months naturally.