Press a button – what you can learn from airport security about getting feedback

In hundreds of airports around the world, you’ll see a little stand like this.

It asks you to rate your experience of customs by pressing a button.

What is so brilliant about this ‘happy face/sad face’ contraption? It’s simple. They’ve made it super easy for you to tell them what you think.

There’s been times when I’ve been single-handedly corralling three kids through an international airport, stressed to the max, trying to make sure we reach our flight in time. In these stressful moments, this button remains a simple feedback mechanism where all I have to do is reach out and press a button.

Too often, people find it difficult, convoluted or even potentially career limiting to give feedback about what they think of you as a boss or what the company is doing.

As a leader, it’s your job to find your version of this airport feedback button – and put it into practice in your organisation.

Easy, quick, low effort, low risk, and no big deal. That should be your mantra when it comes to helping people give feedback.

It doesn’t have to be fancy-schmancy in order to give you a useful snapshot. Make giving feedback as simple as pressing a button.

So this week, ask yourself, “How can I be like these airport dudes when it comes to getting feedback from my team?”

When you’ve come up with your great ideas, share them with the rest of us.

Oh. And before you go, press one of the buttons below to share this blog with someone you think would find it interesting. 😉