Feedback Do's and Don'ts From American Idol
Looking for some clear lessons in productive ways to receive feedback? Or, conversely, some excellent examples of how not to receive feedback? Well, if you are, there's this TV show that runs on Tuesday nights that is full of examples on both sides of the equation. You may have heard of it. It's something I like to call American Idol.
OK, before you bail on me and think I've become a total pop culture bubblehead, let me explain myself. Yes, I will acknowledge that Idol is one of my guilty pleasures. (After all, man cannot live by the Harvard Business Review alone. ) That said, if you watch it with a bit of a leadership development lens on, you can actually learn a lot about what talented people do or don't do with constructive feedback.
I've identified at least six models for receiving feedback from watching the show. Two of them are worth emulating and four need to be avoided at all cost. Interested in which one might apply to you or some of the people on your team? Read on.
Most informed Idol watchers agree that the contestants this year are probably the most talented group to have appeared in the eight year history of the show. That's good news for viewers. The bad news for six of the seven remaining contestants is that the seventh, Adam Lambert, is just flat out crazy phenomenal. I could write a entire post on what leaders could learn from him about performance - his content, tone of voice and body language are almost always on the mark at a 110% level. (Don't believe me? Go find a clip of his rendition of Born to Be Wild.) Anyway, back to the point of this point which is about how to receive feedback.
Two Ways to Receive Feedback
Appreciate and Accept It: Over the last three weeks of the show, the judges and audience have literally been rapturous over Adam's performances. (How often do you see a standing ovation from Simon Cowell? He gave one to Adam.) When you're as talented and performing as well as Adam is, you're likely to get gushing feedback that doesn't offer a whole lot of constructive criticism. Lambert consistently offers a great model of how to accept adulatory praise. He looks the judge in the eyes (he doesn't engage in the look down at the floor in an "Aw schucks" pose), smiles and says something along the lines of "Thank you. I'm honored. That really means a lot to me." And then, he gets back to work. He doesn't play the diva role. Adam processes what the judges appreciated about his performance and builds on it to perform even better the next time.
Listen and Work With It: So Adam is the genius prodigy this year and then there's everybody else. Two of the remaining contestants, Matt and Kris, are good examples of solid performers who have some great weeks and then some so-so weeks. The great thing about both of these guys is they really seem to listen to the judges critiques and then incorporate what they hear into their work for the upcoming week. Whether it's song choice, stage presence, vocal tonality or some other aspect of the performance, you can see these guys really using the feedback as a platform for trying to be better each week. My prediction is that one of them will make the final three along with Adam and somebody else.
Four Ways Not to Receive Feedback
Resent It: In weeks when his performance doesn't land well (usually when he's trying to perform against his "good guy" image), Anoop Desai sort of glares at the judges as if he really resents what they're saying. Not a great strategy. He loses the audience when he does this as well as the judges. It's totally a body language and facial expression response on his part and people pick up on it. You almost wonder if he's aware that he's doing it. How often have you seen a similar dynamic in the workplace?
Ignore It: Danny Gokey seemed to be an early favorite on the show this year, but I think he's fading because he's not getting that much better. He's always pleasant during the feedback segment, smiling and nodding his head when he gets a critical comment. You can almost see the feedback whizzing right past his ears as he's smiling and nodding his head. It doesn't seem to register. My guess about what's going on is that he's got a strong story about himself called "I'm a great singer," which cancels out his capacity to hear anything at odds with that story.
Don't Care About It: The recently departed (from the show) Megan Joy Corkey was the champ at this. She literally told the judges that she didn't care what they thought about her performance because she was being true to herself (or something to that effect). Apparently the audience thinks that caring matters because she's off the show.
Argue With It: This approach is best exhibited by Lil Rounds. Like Danny Gokey, she seemed to be an early favorite. Her challenge is that she is so committed to her style and apparently so convinced that she's right, that she will not take feedback. Not only does she not take it, she literally argues with it and engages the judges in a debate about why she's doing what she's doing. Again, not a great strategy for learning how to be better.
So, whether or not you're an Idol fan, what would you add to the list of do's and don'ts about receiving feedback? What success stories do you have to share about helping yourself or others to work better with feedback?
And, for all you Idol fans, what do you think? Is Adam the best contestant ever or not?
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Executive coach Scott Eblin’s goal is to help you succeed at the next level of leadership. Throughout the week, he’ll offer his take on the leadership lessons in the news and his advice on your most pressing leadership questions. A former government executive, Scott is a graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government and is the author of The Next Level: What Insiders Know About Executive Success.
Adam Lambert is the best contestant I've ever heard or seen on American Idol. I can't wait to see what he sings and how he performs next week. He should win Ameican Idol without any question.
Susan Chapman Posted Sunday, April 19, 2009 9:00 PMDear Scott,
I was so happy to see your post for multiple reasons...
First, your message is terrific with insightful lessons about the art of handling feedback. Great coaching for leaders that I will remember and share. Glad to discover your website!
Secondly, last night I posted my blog with "Lessons to Learn from the Talented..." and guess who has taken my attention --- ADAM LAMBERT. I do think he is the best ever contestant on American Idol and I wrote about it with a leadership/innovation slant.
I'm thinking I may be the only one so far to write that Adam Lambert is one of the best examples I've seen in a long time at applying Peter F. Drucker's wisdom about using your whole "toolbox"... :-). Would love to know what you think...
http://globaldialoguecenter.blogs.com/differences/2009/04/lessons-from-top-talent-are-you-listening.html
I laughed out loud, seeing that you also found a way to qualify your "guilty pleasure" being an AI Fan. :-)
Go, Adam!
Best...
Debbe Kennedy, Founder, Global Dialogue Center Posted Sunday, April 19, 2009 9:23 PMDebbe
Yes, Adam is the best contestant ever! You are so right about how he accepts the judges comments. He is so respectful to everyone and appreciative. Plus, he comes back each week better than ever. Talk about the "it" factor......Adam is IT!
Mary Posted Sunday, April 19, 2009 9:32 PMNot only is Adam the best singer to ever appear on American Idol, he is one of the the world's great talents--a truly remarkable singer/performer/artist. I can hardly wait for his performance each week. He will be an international superstar.
SCW54 Posted Sunday, April 19, 2009 9:34 PMGreat article! I learned stuff from it hehe, particularly how to appreciate and accept it. And yes! Adam is THE beast contestant ever - he's beyond the competition, actually.
Marigold Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 12:02 AMIs Adam the best contestant ever? OH YEAH!! Defiantly!!
Sarah Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 3:08 AMAnd I totally agree with you - Season 8 is full of talented contestants. If Adam wouldn't appear in this season, there would be at least 3 contestants who could have won.
I guess, in the next seasons, no one would wish himself a contestant as strong and brilliant as Adam in the same competition.
But on the other hand, I don't think there will be another "Adam", cos Adam is sure a one of a kind.
Adam is so far and away the best ever that it's hard to even call the others "contestants." Two months ago, nobody had heard of Adam Lambert, hard as that is to believe. Now, it's Adam, Adam, Adam everywhere all the time. Let's face it, Adam is the reason the world is tuning in to AI this year. Seconds after Adam's performance every week, zillions of viewers who are not on EST rush to YouTube and wait the minute or two it takes for somemone to post the video and then they watch it over and over while they wait to vote. And then they vote, vote, vote. "He's in the star zone, baby." Not fair? Well, Adam can't help it that he's got the talent, the looks, the style, the charisma. The boy just flat hit the genetic jackpot and we are all loving it.
jowilliams Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 9:53 AMI definitely think Adam Lambert by far is the BEST American Idol contestant ever. He has an amazing voice. I would love to hear him do a journey song. I wish he would add me on my twitter page so I can keep up with him :) Adam if you read this my twitter name is sweetone24! I picked him from DAY 1. I also picked Carrie Underwood from day 1 so I am following Adam to the very end. I just love his style!!!! He is a WINNER!!!
Mary Mills Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 11:11 AMMary from Vegas
I still have fears of AI5 when the best contestant Daughtry went home a shocking 4th. People are so sure Adam is going to win, they don't vote.
If Adam doesn't win AI8 it will be a worse travesty than when Daughtry did not win AI5.
Aubry Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 11:43 AMGreat article. Clay Aiken had a similar response to accepting criticism. He used to make a lot of faces and started singing in front of a mirror. Simon noticed the difference. He was not much of a dancer and was criticized when he first did that little hip dance. Simon has said it was one of the all-time worst performances on Idol. Have you seen him in live shows? He's a good dancer. I digress...Adam is awesome. I like him more than Clay and can't wait to see him when he does a solo tour. I don't know if my husband will take me though.
Laurie Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 12:07 PMI think that Adam is the best contestant to ever appear on AI for so many reson.s His amazong voice, his unbelievalbe charisma, and his incredible stage presence just to anme a few. He has som many fans in evey age group and every week he wins more viewers over. I Love Adam and I cna't wait to see him in concert.
kathie Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 12:58 PM
Nomoyasiko Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 1:44 PMAdam Lambert is the best of all ever on American Idol..Nobody can compare wit him....ADAM LAMBERT.You are Brilliant ADAM....Always success...God Bless.....Good luck.
I think your critique of all the contestants about receiving feedback is spot on. I couldn't agree with you more about Adam's level of professionalism, integrity, and humility. He must have developed that ability from all his past work in theater, and I think he's better for it.
As far as the ways not to receive feedback, it's almost funny how exactly right you are about those reactions being specific to those people. It's almost sad in a way to see how Danny and Lil, who were two of my early favorites as well, have not ever taken the feedback given and incorporated the way Adam has.
Thank you for posting this, I found it refreshing to see someone talking about this aspect of the show. Usually it's "who's hot and who's not" or other topics, but the feedback is important, and a great way to judge which contestant is truly ahead of the pack (ahem...ADAM...ahem).
Elnora Posted Monday, April 20, 2009 6:58 PMI've been watching AI since the season 1 and Adam Lambert is by far the most exciting and talented singer/performer, bar none! Another atribute that I see in him is that he gives 110% to every performance. It's obvious he loves what he does, but, he also performs to please us, the audience. It'll be sad to see this season end when we won't get our weekly fix of Adam Lambert!
American Idol Fan Posted Tuesday, April 21, 2009 2:54 AMKonnichiwa:
Adam Lambert is the best of all ever on American Idol..Nobody can compare with him..He has a great talented..Brilliant voice..nice Performance,rocks hard..own high value style.Unique.genius.really Amazing!!!.ADAM LAMBERT.You are Brilliant ADAM..I would like to buy your cds.collect all your albums.thank you for sharing with your nice sing.We are very enjoy with his sing..and very porud of you....Always success...God Bless..Gambatte Kudasai...Good luck....
Greetings from Terada(JAPAN).
Terada Ono Posted Tuesday, April 21, 2009 11:43 AMGreat insight on receiving feedback, but if I didn't know better, I'd think this was an "I love Adam" blog!!!
Ross Posted Tuesday, April 21, 2009 3:43 PMI am pleasantly surprised to have to admit that this piece is insightful and well said.
iana leahman Posted Tuesday, April 21, 2009 3:59 PMThis article was well timed on your part. I read it about a week before my mid year review and went right whatever. Then it came time for my mid-year review. I in the past I would gear up to defend my mid year review write up. Which I never really liked during but I felt that if I did not the I would be rated lower. I started out doing the same thing this year and right in the middle of the review, this article came to my mind. Did I do as well as Adam Lambert? No, not even close but my efforts were worth it because of the change in the tone of my 1st line supervisor comments during the mid year review. Their comments were more of this is how you can improve instead of the this is what you did wrong. I am taking a step back and trying this in my relationship with people that are close to my heart.
FEAR OF NSPS Posted Thursday, April 30, 2009 7:55 AMHey thank you for these examples. I'm planning to go on American Idol when I turn 16 and I honestly know nothing about the show anymore. It really changed since I last watched it for fun. And thank you so much. I know exactly what to do know :)
Stamyr Posted Thursday, May 7, 2009 10:31 AMI can't believe Chris win American Idol totally discrimination against Adam lambert. Chris is a nice guy that doesn't mean he is a good singer. American people discriminating Adam guy liner.American Idol all about people look not how they sing.i'm tired of American Idol and disappoint them the way people vote.
Liz Posted Thursday, May 21, 2009 11:03 PMClay Aiken is so Jealous about Adam Lambert.Adam Lambert is much better singer than Clay Aiken. Clay Aiken telling nasty things about Adam something fishy.
Liz Posted Friday, May 22, 2009 5:57 PMStop producing a show were only a fraction of the hour is dedicated to real talent. It is not appealing to witness contestants you have no shot and have no clue make fools of themselves during what I thought was an award winning production just take up space and waist my time. I realize Simon is leaving but let him know he should leave on a bang not a WTF just pay me I am bored.
Scott McCabe Posted Tuesday, January 26, 2010 8:42 PMI can't believe how much I'm loving 2010 Idol but I'm pretty sad that cutie Jermaine Sellers got kicked from the program. He deserved to stay one more week!
Dayli Carenelios Posted Friday, March 5, 2010 9:35 PMI'm going for Lily Scot on American Idol she has such a cool look. She's my top choice for this season and I totally into her voice. At first I bet she gonna be a emo but shes not which surprised me.
Dayina Carey Posted Saturday, March 6, 2010 5:33 PMHmm, Following, American Idol all these seasons, not too sure, what to think about this years singers
Pete Sultani Posted Saturday, March 13, 2010 7:09 AMI'm not sure I fathom why so many folks are making such a fuss over Simon's leaving. I happen to prefer Ellen, but both are have left we will see if the show is still popular with a hole in the rightmost chair.
cell phone number reverse Posted Friday, August 13, 2010 1:41 PM