FeedBack to FeedForward

FeedBack to FeedForward Simon an honest, hard working employee met up with his boss and company director to discuss his past performance on a large project which he had just completed. At the end of the discussion, his boss said "You have done a great job", while the owner added "We would really like you to continue with your excellence this way". He thanked both and left the meeting… As he was returning home, he reflected on those words heard from them and felt: "My boss gave me a ‘feedback’ while the director gave me a ‘feed forward’... My boss' comment was a good message; while the director's advice was a great message... One satisfied my Ego while the other charged my energy... One dwelt in the past while the other on the future." He had thanked both ... yet felt more thankful towards the company director. My Message This story illustrates a very good business example, but lets broaden it out towards our personal lives too. How often do we applaud good work but forget to add on encouragement? This is such an important message because we naturally focus on what has been achieved as its more "real" to us but we tend to forget what can be achieved next by adding the smallest bit of encouragement with the applause. I can guarantee when you join feedback with feedforward you are allowing people to grow in ways you could never imagine. Let me explain why… Feedback disappears after a few days, it goes 'off' like milk, Feedback joined with Feed-forward comprises not just commentary about what has been done, but it includes suggestions for what can be done next, making it more sustainable towards growth and productivity. In other words it is not forgotten that easy as it contributes towards progressing in the future. So the next time some looks up to you for feedback remember this small lesson and make sure your feedback always leads to feedforward. Have an awesome week! Darren Zwiers The Quote: “You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins.” - Jim Stovall