The Communication Shift
Every Leader
Needs
to Make
Dear Spark Family,
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about leadership, it’s this: how you communicate can make or break your impact.
Just yesterday, a smoke-coming-out-of-his-ears client asked me, “Jackie, what am I doing wrong?! Whenever I try to give some of my team members feedback, they seem to shut down or get defensive. It feels like a setback when I’m just trying to help!” I had to smile because this is something I hear a lot—but here’s the secret: it’s not about feedback. It’s about feed-forward.
On my team, we’ve shifted to using feed-forward (coined by my amazing mentor, Marshall Goldsmith). Instead of looking backward at what went wrong, it’s about focusing on how to move forward. It’s a subtle but powerful shift that can turn potentially uncomfortable conversations into real opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Why Communication is
Your Superpower
In today’s hybrid world, how we communicate is more important than ever. Communication isn’t just about getting information across—it’s about creating real connection. Your words, your tone, your intent, and your actions shape your team’s culture, whether you’re in person or over Teams. The way you communicate has the power to build trust, drive engagement, and boost performance—or, if you’re not intentional, it can do the opposite.
Here’s the thing: communication isn’t just about what you say. It’s about making sure your team feels seen, heard, and valued—even when the message is tough. And that’s where feed-forward can make all the difference.
The Power of Feed-Forward:
Look Ahead, Not Back
Traditional feedback focuses on what went wrong, often leaving people feeling criticized or deflated. Feed-forward, on the other hand, shifts the focus to what’s next. It’s about looking ahead with purpose and opportunity, not back with judgment.
When you make this shift, you’ll see walls come down. People relax, and they’re usually grateful for the honesty and coaching. Here’s how to incorporate feed-forward into your leadership style:
Make It Timely and Ongoing: Don’t save it for formal reviews – that feels like getting a bad report card. The most powerful feed-forward moments happen in real time, when insights are fresh and can be acted on quickly.
Highlight Possibilities, Not Problems: Instead of, “Here’s what went wrong,” shift to, “Here’s how we can approach this next time.” It keeps the conversation forward-focused and solution-oriented.
Share the “Why” and the “How”: Feed-forward isn’t just about what to do next—it’s about why it matters and how to approach it differently. Giving context makes all the difference and leads to meaningful growth.
Focus on Behaviors, Not People: It’s not about labeling someone; it’s about discussing specific actions that can improve. Keep it objective and supportive—no one should feel they’re walking out of a performance critique.
With feed-forward, you’ll build a culture where your team feels empowered to grow, knowing the goal is always improvement, not criticism.
Lead with Clarity and Empathy
Beyond feed-forward, your communication style as a leader shapes everything. Here are a few ways to make sure your words elevate trust and collaboration on your team:
Be Direct, But Compassionate: Your team doesn’t have time to decode cryptic messages. Be clear in what you’re asking, but always lead with empathy. Your tone sets the stage for how the message is received.
Ask More Questions: Great leaders don’t just give answers—they ask the right questions. This lets your team take ownership of their own growth and fosters critical thinking.
Listen Actively: When your team speaks, give them your full attention. Listening is just as powerful, if not more so, than what you say. It shows you respect their perspectives and value their input.
When you approach communication and feed-forward with care and curiosity, you’re not just building a stronger team—you’re building future leaders who will grow alongside you. 🤩
🌟 Let’s Chat:
I’m curious—how do you approach feedback with your team? What communication tools have you found that create a culture of trust and growth? I’d love to hear what’s working for you, so hit reply and let’s keep this conversation going.
Lead with purpose,
Jackie
P.S – Got a leadership story or a meme that made you laugh? I’d love to hear it — send me a DM on Instagram!
