Feedforward, not Back

The Feedback Fallacy by Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall
Harvard Business Review, March 1, 2019

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Drawing on brain research, Marcus Buckingham and Ashley Goodall critique traditional approaches to feedback in hopes of finding a better way. They identify three problems in traditional approaches: it is impossible to give truly objective feedback (it’s always at least as much about the observer as it is about the person being observed); we don't learn when our flaws are pointed out (in fact, we shut down); and it is impossible to define excellence in a way that makes sense for everyone (every person’s excellence is unique to them). The authors recommend an approach that focuses on sharing our own responses, and above all, focusing not on shortcomings but on successes: “Whenever you see one of your people do something that worked for you, that rocked your world just a little, stop for a minute and highlight it.” This will help your team member (or your student) “recognize what excellence looks like for her.” The article provides useful tips on phrasing feedback, but more importantly, it is a useful reminder that positivity, rather than negativity, is the best way to push our students (and each other) to succeed. Feedback should ultimately be more about aiming at excellence than about meeting certain defined criteria.