assessment

Feedback

After playing the New York Times Wordle, I open the Wordle Bot to gain insights into my results. The bot generates screens, including metrics and feedback on my guesses as I attempt to solve the puzzle. It is quick and easy to access.

After a consulting engagement, I will ask the client for feedback on what went well, what could have gone better, and areas for improvement. It is typically productive and allows for improvements and a better understanding of what was overlooked. This type of feedback can feel much more vulnerable and create areas of misunderstanding.

Because the bot is AI-generated, the feedback feels less emotional and somehow data-driven. Feedback from a client is human-to-human and not only assesses the work produced but also engages the human relationship.

How might we find the right balance when seeking feedback? How might we recognize that the environment we work in may impact how feedback is delivered? In an emergency room, feedback is often brief, definitive, and directive because interventions must be adjusted or corrected immediately. Working with preschool children often dictates a more passive and empathetic approach.

How might we support and engage our teams with evaluations that foster engagement?

Analyzing

As we approach the last few weeks of 2024, reflection becomes a theme. We look at our data, our accomplishments, highlights, and lessons learned. Embedding a culture of curiosity is a hallmark of a healthy community. Dissecting the data is a balance of art and science. If we are running the 100-meter track event, finding a tenth of a second saving might require days of analytics. However, if we are thru-hiking for a few thousand miles, we are afforded more opportunities to trial different techniques and equipment to assess what works best.

How do you review your work? Is there a best time or mindset? What have been your best learnings?

So Close

A ski area with 80% coverage of its ski runs might be close to opening, but if the base area is not ready, the lifts cannot turn. However, a ski resort that can take skiers to higher elevations so they can access open terrain might be able to commence their season. Our perception of what is close to happening and what can happen might be less informed by percentages than we realize.