65x faster learning curves for execs

Many execs don’t get frequent, direct, accurate feedback.

Contrast that to an elite athlete. They get feedback all the time from a crew of expert coaches. They watch video. They drill. They improve much faster.

Let’s say an exec gets good feedback every 3 months. That’s once every 65 working days. An elite athlete gets it every day, at least. Thus, an elite athlete could be getting 65x more feedback, and have 65x more feedback loops. Try, fail, change, fix. 65 more times.

That would make a huge difference in learning. Some execs can’t seem to change and fix their flaws. Yes, change can be hard. But it’s a lot easier if you have 65x as many chances to improve.

Execs often have to figure it for themselves. They piece together feedback from their boss, peers, teams, and clients. They read books and blogs. They watch others.

The exec then decides for themself what needs to change. This is dangerous because we can’t be truly objective about ourselves. What might seem like a small thing might be a big thing, or vice versa.

Companies often hire executive coaches for their execs. This can be terrific for development. This will include a 360 feedback process from people they work with. However, the 360 is typically only one-time.

What’s missing is frequent, meaningful, accurate feedback. Like every week. Like an elite athlete would get.

There is a big opportunity to instrument executive and managerial performance. We would need to piece together enough daily data in an accurate way about their performance. The exec would more quickly see past biases and self-perceptions. The exec’s boss (and exec coach) could more accurately coach.

65x faster feedback loops. Far better execs. Far better companies, cultures, jobs, and economies.

How much do weak execs cost the world economy? That’s a post for another day.