THE IMPORTANCE OF FEEDBACK

“feedback when given well should not alienate the receiver of the feedback, but should motivate them to perform better.” 
-M.O., Manager. Fortune 500 Company

This past Thursday, all of 10th grade Innovation Academy gathered up along with a few parents and teachers to present a project pitch. The purpose of this was mainly to share our ideas and receive some constructive feedback, which is exactly what happened. I must say that I did not expect much of this, I was completely prepared for the mothers to nod and compliment our presentations, so I was pretty shocked when my group received some of the best feedback I have ever heard in my life. 

Had you asked me a week ago about my current Innovation Academy project, I would have had a whole plan as to how I was going to accomplish a set goal. I would have had dates, assignments and tasks to complete; however, if you ask me now, I have no clue. Some may think that this realization is a projection of declining productivity, but actually this change of direction might as well be the best thing that has ever happened to this project. Because if you count the number of days we would have lost following the wrong plan, instead of a few steps backwards, this is a giant leap forward that will surely propel us in the direction of success.

Throughout my months in Innovation Academy, I have grown fond of feedback giving and receiving; Breakthrough, of course, being my number one example. Having the several iterations of the magazine cover, searching for different points of view and denying conformation with nothing but the best we had, is what lead us to succeed and create beautiful work. And I am 100% prepared to return again to the same quest for perfection, and here is where it begins.

This whole experience truly comes to show that feedback is actually crucial in the efficient development of a project, and that in fact two minds think better than one; especially when one of them has a different perspective on the subject. Sometimes when we are too close to an idea, we get caught up in the details and seize to see the bigger picture, which is why feedback is so helpful.

Feedback can really change a whole project, it can take something decent and make it extraordinary. And beyond schoolwork, beyond projects in life constructive criticism is extremely helpful. But what happens when we don't have somebody else to consult?

We won't always have another set of eyes to give us their opinion, which is why this project has lead me to the realization that cultivating a critical mind is a true gift and advantage in life. Learning how to question your ideas and your deepest thoughts is the highest level of reflection one can undergo, and the consequences are always positive given that you begin to notice things that you didn't see before.