In the world of people management, we often talk about feedback, that is, the way in which someone advises another person about how their performance in an activity has been. As leadership coach and education expert Ann Mausbach says, “Feedback is the fertilizer for professional learning.”
But hardly anyone talks about feedforward. And this post wants to pay tribute to this important but, at the same time, so unknown concept. It is a powerful tool that significantly shapes and influences human development.
Although FEEDBACK is more focused on the past, that is, analyzing and commenting on actions already taken, FEEDFORWARD is the ability to anticipate and prepare for future scenarios.
FEEDFORWARD;
- IS BASED ON ANTICIPATION AND GOAL SETTING. It involves having clear objectives and creating a roadmap to achieve them. This feedforward approach allows people to plan steps, acquire the necessary skills and prepare strategies to move towards their goals.
- HELPS BUILD RESILIENCE AND ADAPTABILITY. By considering potential challenges or obstacles in advance, feedforward helps people build resilience. When people anticipate difficulties, they can mentally and emotionally prepare to meet those challenges. This proactive mindset fosters adaptability and the ability to respond effectively to unforeseen circumstances.
- CAN IMPROVE OUR DECISION-MAKING PROCESS IN A REFLECTIVE WAY. By considering future implications and consequences, people can make decisions more based on the present.
- ENCOURAGES LEARNING AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT. It involves identifying the skills and knowledge needed in the future and taking proactive steps to acquire them. This approach encourages continuous learning and personal development, allowing people to remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.
- BENEFITS STRATEGIC PLANNING AND INNOVATION. Companies and organizations take advantage of feedforward to innovate and remain competitive. Anticipating market trends, consumer needs and technological advances allows them to strategize and innovate accordingly. By embracing forward thinking, companies can stay ahead and adapt more effectively to changing environments.
- IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR PERSONAL GROWTH. Feedforward empowers people to take charge of their future, set meaningful goals, and take deliberate action to achieve them. Whether in career advancement, skill development, or personal relationships, a forward-thinking approach through feedforward can pave the way to success.
Ultimately, adopting a forward-thinking mindset allows people to anticipate challenges, set meaningful goals, and proactively work toward a brighter, more successful future. Integrating feedforward into daily life can be a transformative force in personal development and achievement.
