Leadership Goals: Amy-Level Preparedness, a Growth Mindset, and Yes—There Will Be Lamination

As we discussed in the last blog, I have many female leadership heroes. Hermione and Leslie Knope are just the tip of the iceberg. We will be adding Amy Santiago from Brooklyn 99 to the list this week! If Amy were writing this blog, she would have had an outline, a backup outline, and then a laminated list of 47 traits of a leader to use for inspiration. I respect that energy! Like Amy, I've always believed in being prepared, driven to do my best, and organized. However, leadership isn't always about having everything under control. (Much to my dismay!) Leadership is about being open to change, embracing continuous learning, and looking for suggestions for the future. (If those suggestions could be delivered in a bulleted and laminated list....even better!) In this post I am reflecting on feedforward- the practice of offering future focused suggestions rather than backward looking criticism- and how it is shaping my view of leadership.

Amy Santiago from Brooklyn 99e

Growth Mindset Meets Lamination

As a musician, every time I play my instrument I receive feedback, so I am more conditioned to taking feedback and using it than people in other professions are. After all, I have performed every day since 6th grade, so I receive feedback daily. This feedback is immediate, and it is usually something that I can find value in, even if it is difficult to hear. Because of this, I truly understand the value of "it's not what is said, it's how it is said". As I stated previously, I attended UNT for my undergraduate degree. Many teachers that I had gave harsh feedback, where the main idea was "If it's not perfect- it's not even worth listening to." I was yelled at, humiliated in the front of my classmates, and made to cry every semester because I just wasn't excelling at the same rate my classmates were. This obviously contributes to my perfectionism that I struggle with today.

As a young person going through this conservatory system, I found myself latching on to teachers who were giving me high quality feedback.... kindly. As I moved into my music education classes, I realized that I wanted to be exactly like one of my favorite professors, Dr. Donna Emmanuel. She was the queen at giving me feedback that went over what I could improve, and then going a step farther and giving me feedback that I could apply to future assignments, as well. She was never hurtful or rude, but she always held myself and my work to a high standard. She was the first woman teacher I had ever had in music, as well. Along with that, Dr. Emmanuel was one of the first people I had ever seen who manifested having a growth mindset, and it was really beneficial for me to see it in action! I saw that I could be organized, hard working, driven, and still have room to improve. I knew my teaching style would never involve giving harsh feedback, that just isn't my personality. She taught me that women can be fierce and kind. More importantly, Dr. Emmanuel taught me that failure is only when I give up on myself, failure does not come from turning in work that isn't perfect.

When I am speaking to my students or grading their work, I try to channel my inner Dr. Emmanuel. I try to demonstrate what a growth mindset looks like so my students can learn it at a much younger age than I did. I give them feedback on their current assignment, and then try to give them points that can apply to future work, as well. I try to hold everyone to the highest standard while being kind at the same time. She has made a lasting impact on me, and I know that I am a better teacher because she helped me survive at UNT!

What Feedforward Has Taught Me

Feedforward is different than traditional feedback. "Feedback typically tells us how we are progressing towards a goal; feed forward should tell us what we need to do to get closer to it." (University of Auckland, n.d.). For instance: in the music world traditional feedback sounds like this: "In measure 9, make sure you play that staccato the right note length." Feedforward sounds like this: "In measure 9, make sure you play that staccato the right note length. Notice that this same note length applies in measure 17 and 29, as well. Make sure all of the note values are the same length." I love receiving feedback like this in rehearsal, because it helps me anticipate what is ahead, and how I am going to perform when I get there. The same can be said for feedforward that is not in music. Any feedforward I receive makes me more comfortable because I can anticipate and work through future challenges ahead of time, leaving me feeling successful before I have already begun a task. It helps define expectations, and for someone who struggles with perfectionism, this is truly something I am grateful for. When you receive a new task and you already know what is coming and how to navigate it successfully, it leaves you feeling confident before you have even started!

Putting It Into Practice- My Leadership Style

Knowing how I feel when I receive feedforward, I try to incorporate this into my leadership style. Feed forward uses the past to create a solutions-oriented result. (Dagli, 2023). I want to make sure that the feedforward I am giving is correct, kind, and beneficial to the future project. It helps me get a better overview of upcoming tasks, organize my thoughts, and create better timelines for my projects. One thing that I am really good with is putting together calendar dates/timelines for all projects. I am great at logistics (and yes, those calendar dates and timelines are laminated and placed in binders, it's just who I am!)

My inner Amy Santiago gets to shine through in those moments, and I know that I am creating success from the very beginning of the process. I also like to make sure that my teammates and I are on the same page, and that we talk through any feedforward together so that everyone feels like we are all working together for the success of the team. Through the years, I have learned to ask for input before I get my "crazy" going and make binders with all of this information for my team. This approach helps my creativity and helps me feel prepared for the unknown.

Leading Like Amy:

Moving forward, I use Amy Santiago as an inspiration for my leadership skills both inside of the classroom, and hopefully as a budding technology leader. I like being organized, and I like knowing that everyone is on the same page when it comes to team projects. I want to channel my inner Dr. Emmanuel and be kind while holding myself and those around me to high standards when I am giving and receiving feedforward. I know that both of these women are helping me deal with my perfectionism and they help me to remember that I am not a failure if something is not executed well, but I'm only a failure if I give up!

References:

Dagli, K. (2023, October 30). Feedback vs. feedforward: Which management method should you use? Together Platform. https://www.togetherplatform.com/blog/feedback-vs-feedforward-which-management-method-should-you-use

Goor, D., & Schur, M. (Executive Producers). (2013-2021). Brooklyn Nine-Nine [TV series]. Fremulon; Dr. Goor Productions; 3 Arts Entertainment; Universal Television.

University of Auckland. (n.d.). Feedback and feedforward. TeachWell. https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/resources/signature-pedagogies/assessment-for-learning/feedback-and-feedforward/