Feedback can come from many places. The best performers in anything, including leaders, yearn for feedback to continue their improvement. We often think about feedback from coaching and mentoring, from peers, or through other formal or informal conversations. But beware of those assumed limits. It is important for us to look for feedback in as many ways, from as many places as possible.
Last night, as I watched 60 Minutes, I was hit by this important point from what seemed an unexpected place - the lead singer of the ultra-popular, multi-Grammy winning band Coldplay, Chris Martin.
He explained that early in a tour, when trying different songs, he watches the spots under the Exit signs. In their larger venues, he can't really see people or their faces. But he can make out the silhouettes under the illuminated Exit signs. More silhouettes means the audience is choosing to go to the restroom or get a hot dog during that song. Less activity under the Exit signs means the band is doing well with their song selections.
There are two lessons for us as leaders in this story.
First, we can and should be looking for feedback everywhere we can (and helping those we lead do the same). The brilliant part about Chris Martin's Exit sign feedback measure is that it comes in real time. Getting feedback in real time means we can adjust and improve performance on the spot.
The second, equally powerful lesson is the source of our learning. At first, it might seem surprising to get a leadership lesson from the lead singer of an alternative rock band. On the other hand, who better to learn from than a person at the top of his profession? Even if he isn't yet 30 years old?
As you finish and move on with your leadership activities for the day, consider this. . .
Who could you learn from today that might give you a new perspective or perhaps a new form of feedback? Whether in the media, in a book, or across the hall?
And what if you created a way to bring fresh perspectives from unexpected places into your organizational leadership development process?
You could start by watching the insightful interview with Chris Martin from 60 Minutes through the lens of leadership.
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