YouI’d been giving guest lectures for years, and I prided myself on connecting with every audience. Last month, I was speaking at a leadership seminar and repeatedly mentioned one of the organizers, Neha — except I pronounced it “Nee-ha” instead of “Nay-ha.”

I had no idea I was getting it wrong. No one corrected me, and I kept going, completely unaware. During a break, I checked my phone and saw an anonymous message sent through Honestli. It was short, kind, and direct: “Just a quick note — Neha’s name is pronounced ‘Nay-ha.’ Thought you’d want to know!”p

I felt a wave of embarrassment, but also relief. Thanks to the anonymous tip, I was able to correct myself in the second half of my talk and even apologize publicly. Neha’s warm smile afterward said it all — she appreciated the effort.

That small, anonymous message saved me from further awkwardness and showed me the power of honest feedback when it’s given safely and kindly.